There is no magic formula for success in terms of x-hours - x-merits = $100 per week. It is true that there are many people for whom the forum is just a place to work, but that is simply not what the forum should be for. With the attitude "I'm here to earn merits and earn $100 a week" you won't get far - but no one is stopping you from trying 
yea, It probably isn't viable at all. Also I hate circle jerking and that is basically what people award.You don't have to be in any
"circle" to be a quality poster - but what's wrong with having people with whom you like to discuss and with whom you share similar opinions? There is a topic that shows the so-called "forum gangs" in a comical way - and as far as I know I am not in any of them, so I wonder how I am rewarded with all these merits if I don't deal with
circle jerking 