Oh? There is something that "we" are "supposed to do" before sending merits?
That's news to this here cat.
Ah, you are right! It's not really worth it to go after the source of every image that's posted in this thread. The users who post such content should at least quote the link of the real source below the image to avoid any kind of plagiarism because once the real reference is quoted and proper credit is given to the original content creator then there isn't any kind of plagiarism involved in posting such images.
Sure. Bare minimum should be to provide the source for substantive content, such as text, but mere images may or may not need references... although personally I get the sense that if the image has substantive information beyond some joking matters, then it is probably a better practice to provide the source for such substantive content.
But your earlier framing of the question has to do with whether the smerit sender has some kind of obligation to research into matters before sending smerits.. which is not the case, even though you suggested that maybe it should be the case.. which also might be what some other members believe is (or should be) required.
Go ahead. Propose your change to the current system. Such obligation does not currently exist... and once you propose it, how far are you going to go with it? is such proposed change going to be enforceable? is such proposed change going to have negative ramifications?
I actually said those words because it would be somewhat helpful to research something in depth on in case of those who are constantly posting plagiarized content without and mention of the original sources, but I still agree that it isn't possible for merit sender to research each post before sending the merits. It's someone's own right to send merits to a member, and if someone finds a post interesting then they can send merits without asking.
I'm sorry for the comment, I just said that to make things better for the forum, and I really didn't pointed fingers towards you because I really respect you as you have been doing really great for the forum and at the same time helping good posts with merits. I would really not add anything further for that change because I believe that the system is working in the best way and it doesn't need any change. I think it's better to find another way out rather than changing the system of the forum which's already in the best way possible.