Are we even sure theymos even reads these threads? He hasn't really been so active posting lately, just the dt log.
Since some of those who applied to become merit sources eventually became merit sources, I think that it's safe to assume that theymos checks them.
Problem is that theymos usually adds new merit sources in bulk when he notices that overall amount of merit shared significantly dropped down so it can take quite a while to get these applications approved. From what I saw regarding merit shared data, numbers are still quite good so I doubt any application will be approves soon. Hope that I am wrong though and theymos proves me wrong.
The distribution of merit is still good and indeed there is no need to rush too much, plus I have noticed that many have volunteered to become sources of merit lately such as 1miau, icopress, and now Igebotz, and indeed there are some who are still not confirmed to be sources of merit, like bullrun2020bro whose application submission was at the end of November 2022 until now still waiting.
So it seems that it is indeed not easy to become a source of merit. The qualifications are very strict and Theymos is very careful in doing so.
Wishing them luck and getting the position they want to be more useful in the forum towards more members both local and general, their patience will soon be tested for waiting.