Bitcoin Forum

Lately, it’s been looking like this place is just for the high-ranking members, especially those in DT. Let’s be real, how do you explain someone sharing a random image and bagging 10 or 20 merits, while someone putting in the effort with solid posts gets nothing? It’s like Theymos isn’t paying attention to what’s happening. The forum is slowly losing its purpose. Is this what Satoshi had in mind? A space where newbies can’t grow unless they ‘farm’ merits? Meanwhile, the DT guys are just cycling merits among themselves and adding each other to their trust lists.

I’ll say this, though: if you’re paying attention, you’ll see what’s happening. There are only few people who take their role as merit sources seriously. And don’t even get me started on the local boards, especially the Naija board. It’s a mess. Honestly, no merit source should even be assigned to that board because it feels like those in charge are using the merits for personal gain. The only ones we can really trust are Cryptobrainboss and Mia Chloe, and funny enough, they’re not even merit sources.

A few weeks after Theymos gave us a merit source and local board moderator, the guy shared a few merits for a while, then disappeared. Since then, no one knows how he distributes his merits. Is it a cartel? Feels like it.

Theymos, this is for you. The forum is turning into a political game. Are you a politician now? Because allowing this nonsense to continue says a lot. The ball’s in your court."

Which posts? Show them please. I have 4000 sMerit left, and I'd love to get rid of them.

Newbies, or account farmers?

That doesn't make sense. All Merit transactions are public.

Do you actually take the time to check out different boards to give merit if you truly wanted to? Don’t pretend like you care.

You might be right, but don’t jump to conclusions. Take a closer look before assuming, not everyone is an account farmer.


Exactly, and that’s how I managed to figure it out.

As a merit source, I only check my local board (Portuguese) and english-based international boards. I've never clicked on another local board simply because I don't understand their language.

But if you have a list of posts that definitely deserve some merit, I might try to translate them and give them some love if I deem them deserving. I'm sure Loyce and others would do the same.

If I’m allowed, I can go through all the local boards, including yours, and find posts that actually deserve merit.

But hey, who knows? Maybe you just want me to list posts so you can dig them up and flex your DT powers. Lol, I’m not stupid. But if you’re serious, I can start by listing posts and users from your local board.

Someone should make a chart of sMerits distribution over time and see if the numbers are shrinking. In 2023, I saw many, many more posts being merited, and have noticed a general drop off between then and now. I do believe the data will say that less are circulating. If this is the case, I think since merit is worth as much as it is given in wall observer, then an airdrop of sMerit to sources or sources + legendary members to give stimulate boards with active, quality posters across all boards might not be a bad concept to think more about.

I also think merit sources should be rethought. I think that they should work like moderators in each board. Each board has a few merit sources, voted by members of that board. I don't think the community is active enough to achieve this and I do believe it's subject to manipulation by alts, though in a world where the sense of community was at this level where it could work, that would be a cool thing to see.

If you're allowed? You are free to do anything. :)

And why are you acting like I'm some sort of enemy, "flexing my DT powers"? I'm ok with helping other local boards, including yours, since you're saying it is lacking merits on good posts. If that's what you want, send me a list. If all you want is to stir up with the "DT members are bad", then good luck.

Great suggestion! Merit sources for a board shouldn’t be members of that same board. Instead, they should be assigned to different local boards, especially now that translations work effectively.

No, I’m not saying all DT members are bad. What I’m pointing out is that high-quality posts aren’t getting merited by the merit sources, and that’s pushing people away from the forum. If people start leaving, big companies will follow. Some DT members are just too slow or reluctant to check posts for merit.

I don't "check out boards", I read this forum. You're the one who opened this topic, so where's that long list of Merit-deserving Newbie posts you care so much about?

What's stopping you?

DT-power on posts?

You had me fooled :P

Post numbers are shrinking, Merit numbers aren't.

Are you feeling guilty because this issue really should be taken seriously by merit sources? If you’re a merit source, I’m sure there are some boards you’re more interested in.

Which boards do you focus on? Let me check your merit history if you are a merit source. I know Theymos probably doesn’t have time to look into these things.

I’m thinking we need something like a ‘Merit Sources Detective’!

Enjoy (https://loyce.club/Merit/history/459836.html)!

Are you fucking crazy! these are people in your trust list you keep giving merit. How many newbies have you merited?

My Trust list is quite small.

That's hard to say, considering Newbies rank up. I've Merited 3214 unique users (probably a few more, this data is from 10 days ago). But you're the Newbie throwing around accusations, I gave you the data, so enjoy verifying everything. This is also my last reply, I don't enjoy feeding trolls. Welcome to my Ignore list.

Perhaps you seem to be a very angry soul for reasons left with you! Buddy ever since I've joined this forum I have been recieving merits from different merit source and I have not known anyone who isn't doing his or her job as a merit source.

Meriting post is subjective and what you think is merit deserving might not be merit deserving for others. so if you can't bag a merit for any post of yours or others who you think are not getting merits probably that they post isn't authentic enough for merit source to award such post a merit.

Cryptopreneurbrainboss is a merit source only Mia Chloe isn't a merit source. if you don't know you should probably ask to be enlightened.

I think all my time in the Naija local board I have seen Igebotz award merits to posts that are very much deserving, he has been doing his job in my opinion.
You should try to make quality post that are undeniably merit deserving and surely you will receive merits for it.

Additionally, there are several merit assistance threads in the forum and it says if you find any post that you think deserves merit and is not merited you can drop them here why not do the job and send the links of posts that seems to you under merited or not merited.

Why are they small when you are fucking reluctant to scout through the forum.

I am aware i should be in your ignore list old fool. In or not you don't care about good post unless people who will add you to their trust list. You are one motherfucker.

Perhaps I don't think I've received any merits from this user but at least I have seen several times he awards merits to post especially technically oriented posts and perhaps such post can not be a common sense post because it surely have to be a well known experience to be discussed.

A lot of nuances are lost in translation making it ineffective for grading the quality of posts. Someone who is not a member of that board is also disconnected from happenings in that region meaning it will take them an extra effort to follow discussions and discover which is worthy of merit.

A bad idea if you ask me.

- Jay -

Look at you, talking like you know everything when you really don’t. I can’t blame you though, sometimes you need to experience the struggle yourself to understand what others are going through.

Stop backing people just because they give you one merit.

Perhaps you seem to be very angry with yourself.

I rarely come in contact with LoyceV in this forum and I don't think he knows my username too which means he rarely come in contact with my post too. Stating facts and not backing anyone you should be smart enough to know the difference since you think am dull.

Thank you for this clarification

Hey, get lost. You’re a baby here and don’t know anything. Just so you know, Loyce V couldn’t care less if you give him one merit to try to get his attention.

I’ll leave you to your business while I focus on the serious discussions I’m waiting for.

Look at this chicken using his alt account for creating his first post in the forum... I can't stand pathetic members like this.  :P
It's such a stupid thing to claim you know something that is happening with forum with brand new account.

DT --

Discordant Tourist.
Don't Threaten.
Dear Theymos.
Dangerous Trip.
Duplicity Topples,
Depth Transpires.
Dont Tarry.
Develop Thoroughness.
Dedication, Trustworthiness.
Devotion Trancends
all in Due Time.
Did this(with help from Llama/ChatGpt

---

Its like when you first get into a group or organization. You will have to learn to adapt,  seniors kind of know their folks good enough to not require lots speech or words. A simple wink or grin can be more meaningful than a 10 page report of redundant topics.

The only baby here are you , get some balls and post with your main Account , but you are hiding yourself on an that Alt Account.
I always getting Cryptohunter vibes when something like this Thread here pops up.
Or maybe its just another Account of Excimer , come back with your main Account and we can talk.

Yeb thats the best way for this kind of useless shit , also added to my Ignore List now , cheers.

I Laf at U because you cant write instead you wrote instant. What such useless people in DT.

You should have made this post with your main account and not an alt.

Are you afraid of something?

Wifeoftrump (WOT) could you tell me what makes you think, or what you base on, to say that the forum is losing its vibe? Do you base it on the number of posts? About the quality of said posts? In the number of signature campaigns/bounties?

You could express your frustration with your main account, you would get the same attention, but you would probably have more credibility.

I was here for a  couple of months and I don't know or observe all these, but am very surprised of this issue brought out by freshly newbie.
Well, I would have like you to elaborate your problems openly, because it seems you're having problems with Naija board merits source specifically.

I can tell you from my local board, though I'm not quite active.
I do check post in the board and it's always rare not seeing a thread merited by Cryptoneurbrainboss.
If what you said was entirely true, I would still be a member or Jr member.
There are merit sources that check around the board, it's not even rare receiving merits from post you made months ago.

About meriting pictures and neglecting efforts? Most of the time I merit post with funny remarks or sarcasm than longer post.  

Because a Bird could fly well and perform it's duties doesn't mean it would do same under the sea.
Translation and been able to understand the words isn't what makes a moderator.


Yes the Merit system may not be perfect but there's no system without flaws as long as the human factor exists.

I wish you Long life.

You're acting all big in your alt account, why don't you ask this question with your main one? Are you afraid you're going to be stigmatized? You're indirectly begging for merit. I can understand that ranking from from newbie to Sr or Hero member takes time, but you've probably never seen the spam this forum had before the merit system was introduced. Yes, higher ranked members are way more influential than a newbie, which is the reason why you'll see more merits given to them, but that's not the point, the system isn't perfect, but it's adequate.

To me, it just sounds that you're salty that you cannot rank-up enough to enter a signature campaign. I've acquired approximately 700 merits, even without the 250 I was airdropped as an Sr Member, I'd still be a Hero member.

OP seems confused and is confusing us as well. His statements indicate that he's mad because he isn't getting merits (in his main account, of course), but he also seems to be angry with DT members, probably because he got either neutral or negative trust feedback from someone in the DT. He's being abusive and rude to people for no reason when they are trying to solve the issue he is persistent about.

It has become normal to see people raging after some time when they find it difficult to rank up because they aren't able to produce good enough posts that would get them merits and eventually get through the ranks, and to be honest, this proves that the merit system is still effective. Undeserving people aren't ranking up, which is why the system was introduced in the first place.

People like OP complain that they or other people either from their local boards or global sections aren't getting enough merits despite making efforts, but if that's actually the case, they should be able to present themselves and showcase their efforts for others to see so that they are believed instead of making a joke out of themselves. :)

Any and all confusion could have been clarified had the OP used his real account (or one of his other accounts if he has more than one).

I think it is a deliberate ploy on his part to express some frustration using a newbie account because maybe he is unable to rank up one or more of his accounts as they require merits. I might have it wrong but he does seem intelligent enough to not use his own accounts to engage in merit abuse because he knows the consequences if they become linked.

He will enjoy the attention for a few days before getting bored then will revert to utilising his time on his other accounts.

It's nothing wrong to post specific questions from alt account. But when you start calling others chickens and motherfuckers - I'm wondering who is real chicken here. Show some balls and do it from your main account.
And no, merit system was introduced 7 years ago and during that that big companies didn't left Bitcointalk because of it. And they're not going do it in future too.

[quite author=Wifeoftrump (WOT) link=topic=5528005.msg65002320#msg65002320 date=1738091275]
Goodbye to you all motherfuckers. Sometimes you guys forget you will die one day. I will be the first to say RIP.
[/quote]
Don't forget that you're not immortal too...

Funny you should mention the Nigerian board, The very first thread on the Nigerian board is a pinned merit ranking up thread by the moderator of the group. That is an initiative to help members grow. I glanced through the thread and they even helped somebody rank up just about 3 days ago.
It also explained a lot that you created an alt just for this.
Maybe you have information I don't but from what I can see, the board is doing what they can to help people grow. You can't expect to be given merit for absolutely nothing. You can't get merit simply because you created an account. You have to be part of the community at the very least.

As much as I understand your grievances about the merit sources, the Nigerian board is not a good example of your case.
There was also a thread to submit unmerited posts that are worthy of merits for review. It has been locked for about 2 months now, but I'm just trying to point out how untrue your accusations are.

OK, less talking, more doing. Show us 5 examples of posts that you believe should get merit and didn't.

I'll tell you right off the bat, I won't give merits to accounts I suspect are alt accounts, which is a lot more accounts than most people assume. It sucks to realize you got conned into helping some greedy shithead rank up. At least it does for me.

People who make throwaway accounts always fall back on the "not wanting to damage the reputation of their primary account", but then become instant assholes for whatever reason. I don't really like meriting assholes, either, just FYI.

What “big companies” are still here? By 2017 I think most of them had already exited when it became clear the community was being overrun with money hungry people trying to take from the community as opposed to people who wanted to help build use cases and actually use their Bitcoin to buy things.

First and foremost,  you are not speaking on behalf of the Naija community, rather your personal opinion. We in the Nigerian community are happy with the progress we have made as a local board. The Naija local board have been a very active local board, hence the reason we asked for additional merit source and a mod which were graciously granted by Theymos, so it is not appropriate for us to start complaining now as that will will be seen as being ungrateful. 

Furthermore, we just had a cooking contest organised by Mia Cloe and another  contest by our mummy @SmartGold01. There were lots of merits shared by both the Naija merit sources and others from other boards who came to support those contest. Did you participate in those contest and they refused to give you merits? Or you feel merits will be shared to you by just being docile in the local board?

Next time think properly before making this kind of posts please because it does not make sense at all. Engage actively in the local board and they will give you merits.

I also have a policy of not giving merits to accounts I suspect are either an alt-account or farmed account. It has worked very well for me thus far.

In all probability, the OP is letting out his frustration at not being able to rank up his accounts after what he deems to be hard work by trying to get merits. If he did not receive them he really should not be complaining about the situation regardless of whether he has one, two or a hundred accounts.

That's actually not what I meant. I meant that each board votes for the members most active/top contributing to that board as the merit source for that board in something like a pinned thread on each board, for its board and sub-boards. E.g. the German board vote on a merit source of someone who is active and top contributing in the German board and its sub boards, the gambling board has its merit sources who are primarily active in the gambling board, and so on. That way each board is stimulated with merits in a more balanced way in comparison to the way it works now which seems less democratic and more based on popularity contest/unofficial voting by members of each board.

Not long ago, there was a similar topic in reputation, which was immediately deleted by the moderators. The same "cry snowflake" about the injustice of the forum. I think that the OP is from the same scenario, who is tired of waiting for his "deserved" rank.
https://ninjastic.space/search?author=Meritneededsoon&board=129
OP, I will tell you the way to merit. You do not need to come up with anything smart; you do not need to create "useful" posts on which, as you can see, you spend a lot of effort; you just need to join the topic of push-ups; every day, invent how much and at what time you squeezed out for the growth of Bitcoin.
I know at least three of your compatriots, specially created accounts for participation in the push-ups' topic, who are now successfully increasing their rank, passing on the merits to each other, without getting on the nerves of either themselves or others, and without insulting everyone and everything.
If you are not talented in writing posts, go in for sports :).

I will tell you a secret, never give any power to anything over you. You are the one who gave importance to merits, merit sources, this forum, etc. which gives ;D them power over you. It is all happening in your (individual) small brain ;D. When you sincerely engage in any discourse with a genuine curiosity you will feel no power dynamics at all because your approach will be learning-centric.
You have to bow down to superior intellect any way, there is no way around it ;D

It's... It's a Game of Threads :O

There isn't as bad a situation as you describe. If you put effort into your post, your effort will be appreciated. It takes time, not only merits but you need activity to rank up. You get one activity per day. If you want to become Senior Member, you need to be active on this forum for at least 240 days. To become a Hero Member, you need to be active for at least 480 days. During these days, if you put effort in your posts, you should be able to get 250-500 merits.

theymos implemented a Merit-based ranking system because there were lots of signature spammers registering on this forum. The merit system doesn't stop any newbie from growing, they are free to ask questions, get answers and help others. Signature campaigns are a privilege. It takes a few months to become a Senior Member and almost a year to become a Hero Member.

You don't need to be a DT member to earn merit. If you can make quality posts and do it consistently, you will receive merit.

If you only make one good post or some, and don't receive merit, it is normal because forum has many members and they make many posts, not only yours. This explains consistency of making good posts and net contribution are keys to help your account receiving merit.

Welcome message. (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5036308.0)

When you say bagging 10 or 20 merits, if you mean the Wall Observer thread, then I agree with you, that's bad and I still don't understand why does that happen but overall, why is your priority to get merits? If you put effort into your posts, put effort for the sake of benefiting others by giving them a good answers, don't put efforts for the sake of merits. Merit will come automatically, you have to get and give knowledge and have some fun with that.

Satoshi is long gone, we have no idea what he actually had in mind with this forum or what he would think now. By the way, newbies can very well grow in this space, I started as a newbie.

And about local boards, I think that it will be good if local boards are left without merit but anyways, it's not that important. Why do you care so much about merits? You'll get it if you deserve it, don't worry. If you think that lots of merits gives someone an advantage, then you are hugely mistaken because there are some people with lots of merits who I have in my ignore list because they simply post some nonsense.