I get that this is the intention, but does anyone think this is how it will actually play out? It seems like it goes against the very nature of the thing we are all discussing. There is no reason for someone to actually give out merit. Perhaps some research was done before implementing this feature but I have yet to see a source.
There's no reason for anyone not to merit people either. It's a few seconds out of your day. It's not very well put together right now but it should be smoother in future.
If you have some bright ideas about it then head to the thread and suggest them.
I think it's a ultimately good idea. True, while it may be keeping me from advancing to "Member" immediately, I think it's a good incentive to spend a little more time when posting to try to achieve quality. To contribute.
About the giving part ... it will be interesting to see how that plays out. As the explanation of merit mentions, there is no reason to keep smerit. It doesn't do any good to store it up, as it were. I just recently got a few, and gave them out almost immediately for posts that answered my question, or that contributed to the conversation in some decent way. What I particularly like about the system is that subject to approval, there will be members who are empowered to provide merit where these seems to be merit not awarded for quality posts. I'm trying to think of something that is equivalent in our society at large - can't really think of it at the moment. Charity is not the right word, because that's just helping people who need help. This is more like a reward system of good behavior - I suppose maybe Yelp?