The system is not a perfect fairly system, but it is fair enough for the forum users.
In addition, it is a really fair system for all newcomers after the launch of merit system in January of 2018. All newcomers since that point have the same starting point, have the same odds to earn merits; and only really deserved users can rank up due to merit system effects.
Well it sucks to be those who joined after January 2018 or were newbies or juniors during the month of January. Those people are ones who have been hard hit by the system. But if you ask me it was necessary and I am not joking or trying to puff my chest.
Bitcointalk has seen a huge flood of shitposting bottomfeeders who need to be exterminated. The merit system has been able to curb the ranking up of these scum of the forum. It has hit other legitimately good posters with equal gusto - collateral damage.
This cannot be avoided because it cannot review the release of each advantage. But this system does need improvement, and many senior members are using it to make money.
Of course the first thing that comes to the minds of shitposters is making off the forum. You only observe that they make money obviously because you are also interested in the same thing. Future shitposter here