I understand the issues that you are trying to solve, I just don't see how your ideas would help for the other issues such as the one that I am writing about. If anything, making everyone a merit source would amplify the power of the abusers and the farmers. I think that such a system would need much more oversight and require frequent and severe punishments to have any chance of deterring cheaters.
I did not advocate making every member merit source. We both agree on the fundamentals of the situation.
The issue is majority of any idea that can be thought of Would be misused
It's not that the system is bad is just that it involves humans. And we humans are good at finding loopholes in every system.
If the majority of any idea can be misused because members will find loopholes to exploit, I see no reason why the current two-tier merit source and non-merit source should not be changed (even if just to test any new proposed format).
Your "limited examples" don't get me too excited, but who am I.
It seems to me that even though several members are complaining in reasonable ways about aspects of the merit system, theymos is likely not completely unsatisfied with the merit system as it is playing out, so any suggested changes likely would need to be somewhat in line with what is already happening rather than revolutionary changes.
We are all members and within our capacity of being members, all we can do is to contribute ideas and suggestions. I am not looking for my suggestions to be implemented, nor am I asking for support. I took the opportunity to invite debate and suggestions.
The merit system is broken, whether it continues in the same format or not I doubt members will use that as a reason or excuse to leave the forum.