I'm probably the biggest sMerit hoarder on the forum, and if not, I'm certain I'm in the Top 5. I'm also the Top 1 most generous Merit sender. What does this tell you? Nothing 
Merit isn't scarce. Good posts are.
Merit isn't scarce. Good posts are.
Absolutely!
There are enough Merit Sources on the forum, we don’t need any more. Plentiful Merit is sent by sources to deserving posters.
There is definitely not a lack of Merit, there is definitely a lack of top quality posters, especially new accounts. It is not hard to receive Merit, many sources are if anything over generous. Be a helpful member of the community, make good quality, constructive, clear and concise posts and you’ll be feasting on Merit in no time.
I know that the bitcointalk merit system is designed to reward quality posts and improve overall forum content. However, one of the problems I see with this merit system is that even if you make a quality post, if no one sees it or no one wants to give merit, it might be like a normal post. I think that's what OP want trying to discuss. This can be discouraging for users (like me, lol) who put in some effort to contribute but are not getting enough merit.
But look at it this way I could not care less about gambling so if you post their I won't read it.
I don't read foreign languages as I really am only good with English
I read Meta
I Read btc mining
I read alt mining
I read btc technical
I read bitcoin discussion
I read economics
I read development & technical
I read marketplace
So maybe 35% of the forum is read by me
I give a lot of points each month.
I am certain that I could give more as my hoard is under 500 points to give.