Below is my simple infographic (for those people who prefers visual explanation) about the merit and new rank requirements.
My point is simple, as long as we are patient enough and see to it that we just share quality posts, we can reach higher ranks eventually.
Higher rank members in the forum will not leave any of us unnoticed and without merits, if they feel our share is deserving of merit point(s)
BUT will definitely won't bother at all to give us any merits if our replies are trash.
I just do hope that the merit system will not be abused and each of us should be watchdogs in upholding the real intention of the merit system in attaining clean and only quality information published in the forum.