However, there have been examples of a new user or a newer user than expected does come, and talk quite in detail about the technical aspects of Bitcoin, and they usually get showered in merits.
There's also quite a few users that frequent the technical sections that have more merit than activity/posts.
I don't disagree, but I'm suggesting the merits don't add a lot of value not already present by other factors I mentioned.
One instance where it would help is a newbie software developper trying to get a foot in the door. Newbie software is usually
avoided, but merits from respected senior members can help relieve some of the apprehension. The attitude of a newbie
offering technical advice should reveal something about their credentials. Are they suggesting a magic "pill" with outrageous
claims or are they providing the technical reasoning for their advice.
It's just my subjective point of view, you may disagree, but I haven't typically looked at merit when assessing the quality of
a post or user. I've just seen it as a way to give a thumbs up to a particularly interesting or insightful post without replying
with a low value post like "Well said!!!". Perhaps I'm just playing devil's advocate in a way to explain a possible reason for the
central issue of this thread.