Merit "trading" - buying and selling Bitcointalk merit

[soulcancer]

here is my problem with the merit system...it has created a centralized authority...made up of people...people who like to have their asses kissed....people who do not like it when you disagree...people who will tell you that you have a "bad attitude"....regardless of the quality of your posts...I have been posting for the last few days in the theymos merit thread about these very issues...im not the nicest guy in the world but I think I make good points...for example, one user who posted just after my first post has an account that is less than 100 days old....they have merit of 104 (acquired in only 60 days)...the vast majority of that 104 was given for making posts about the merit system....it just seems that it has created a system where not much merit is being awarded outside of the merit-related threads...and even then, only if you agree with the powers-that-be....not one person in that thread made an effort to refute my points...I was just called a shitposter and told over and over to change my attitude or I would never receive merit...like I give a shit...as far as the selling or trading of merit goes, WHY??...all you have to do is go to the merit threads and kiss the bosses' asses

[scorpionso]

I have read most these posts. first of all I aggree with there shouldn't be any trade on merit . friends are right merit measures quality of posts but there is a missing point I think. when you right something rigth or fully informed post you can't take any merit from someone. or getting very few. merits getting valuable as bitcoin. when the merit system has come I had a 58 posts. because of 2 posts I couldn't get "member" it doesn't sound very fair sometimes to me.

[Ishiro5]

Though i am relatively new on bitcointalk, before joining, I have a friend who complained about how he no longer reckons much with information he gets on bitcointalk as the quality of contents have drastically reduced. Fact is that. the merit system would help to improve the quality of topics and posts, however, if the merit system is not well administered, it may just become a way to enrich the generators or oppress those who fall out of favor, striking a balance is the key here...

[Findingnemo]

I have read most these posts. first of all I aggree with there shouldn't be any trade on merit . friends are right merit measures quality of posts but there is a missing point I think. when you right something rigth or fully informed post you can't take any merit from someone. or getting very few. merits getting valuable as bitcoin. when the merit system has come I had a 58 posts. because of 2 posts I couldn't get "member" it doesn't sound very fair sometimes to me.

I think merit system will be very hard thing for many good users they don’t have any support from their friends and they still in their same rank with many quality posts I think it should be changed by the forum soon.

[Hamphser]

I have read most these posts. first of all I aggree with there shouldn't be any trade on merit . friends are right merit measures quality of posts but there is a missing point I think. when you right something rigth or fully informed post you can't take any merit from someone. or getting very few. merits getting valuable as bitcoin. when the merit system has come I had a 58 posts. because of 2 posts I couldn't get "member" it doesn't sound very fair sometimes to me.

I think merit system will be very hard thing for many good users they don’t have any support from their friends and they still in their same rank with many quality posts I think it should be changed by the forum soon.

You do have a point but don't expect that there would be a change.It would still remain as it is yet this new system do really prohibits account farming but somehow there are really instances which good posters cant be easily considered and not being merited which would definitely result on not ranking up.I can say it cant really be avoided considering on how many members out of this forum but if your post is great sooner or later it would really be recognized.

[cr_liev]

Merit was made to determine one's post quality.
If someone buys and sells merit it means that he abuses the system.
I can guess that Merit trading is forbidden and those who try to trade Merit will probably get their thread to be deleted.

Merit also very helpful as it gives users the option to thank other users for their posts.
An ability that wasn't available before.

I have a limited number of merits so I keep them for really useful posts. I may like different posts but still I will not waste my merits for them because I may need them in the future. So this system doesn't work for me and I see no sense in it. Well, except for the fact it's harder now to move to the next rank, so the competition in signature campaigns is lower - but again that is not significant for me.

[Nhor1011]

Very interesting to see the reactions to the newly introduced concept of merit as an additional indicator of account maturity and quality beyond just pure number of posts / activity. While this was introduced to increase post quality it has of course created a counter movement and a market place for "trading" merit - for money.
So this is just a reminder for everyone that the introduction of merit is a GOOD thing because it will help improve the quality of this forum for everybody.

"Trading" merit will undermine this and render it eventually useless.

Keep contributing!

      "Merit" is a helpful tool for everyone to improve knowledge and contribute good quality post that also a way to makes your account matured. Gaining "merit" throught contributing quality post makes feeling good than to get your merit through trading to others merits. And we know buy and sell of merits is an abuse to this forum and it won't help you to matured here but to gain punishment.

[clawdiw]

I personally like this whole system. This procedure determines people to write quality comments and really bring value, to add something unique to the thread, an idea that really helps.

I am very curious, as long as this is a website about cryptocurrency, why aren't we using tokens to incentivise the comments? Instead of merits, to receive tokens that shall be used to incentivise future quality comments. The exact same way of doing things, but using tokens.

Definitely this idea needs to be polished very well in order to avoid using the tokens fraudulent, but I really think that it could work out. An AI that would prevent fraud. The tokens to be passed from one to another as a way of "meriting" the comments. Nobody would hold that token, his merit number would be replaced with the number of tokens received and sent to others afterwards. Every token having a history of all his "temporary owners". That token could be crypto animal - lion (as are the crytokitties) to make it more fun. Some sort of GAMIFICATION system with tokens - animals sleeping, roaring, being happy and so on. I really think that only for the pleasure of having such an animal in your back office would determine people to do a way better jobs. In a certain way, at a certain level, we are still kids. Why shouldn't we make it an excititing experience?

What do you guys think about this idea? How should it be polished in order to be implemented?

[borderline]

merit system don't work.. for example i write a lot of translation for a lot of project and make some guide but none of this post was merited... so my possibility to go up in the rank it's 0..

[bitbunnny]

This is nothing new, it's been the same earlier before merit appeared, this was also happening with the trust. There have always been and always will be some users who will abuse such systems thinking they have the right to keep the monopoly and decide who deserves something and who doesn't. Some of them were giving negative trust just because they don't like your name on bitcointalk or just because you applied on certain signature campaign. But to my opinion these are deeply frustrated people who don't have real life outside this forum and this is the only place they feel important.
Generaly determing someone's quality is very subjective and depends from one person to the other and the system of values so don't bother with that too much, you can't change anything.

[ainaya1994]

selling and buying merit I think it's a cheat action.
because at the core of our knowledge level is really well established and our posts are more qualified and can be understood by moderators.

I agree with your opinion, merit sale is strictly prohibited and is not permitted by moderators, if trying to sell and buy merit then moderators will penalize accounts related to negative trust and can even be permanently banned.

[Rosilito]

Very interesting to see the reactions to the newly introduced concept of merit as an additional indicator of account maturity and quality beyond just pure number of posts / activity. While this was introduced to increase post quality it has of course created a counter movement and a market place for "trading" merit - for money.
So this is just a reminder for everyone that the introduction of merit is a GOOD thing because it will help improve the quality of this forum for everybody.

"Trading" merit will undermine this and render it eventually useless.

Keep contributing!

Merit was meant to send for an individual's quality post. But as I see sending merit to this person and that is very tough for everyone especially the people who wants to be promoted to a higher rank, maybe they feel they give merit but they don't receive eventhough they had the guts that their post has its quality and deserve to get merit.

[the13thsymphony]

This is abusing the merit system that were implemented to encourage members to produce good and quality content. Also they are leveraging them selves by selling what was intended to be given to deserving and hardworking members of the bitcointalk community. I know this is not a perfect system since it is being abused by a small group of individuals but I believe it is fir the best and as a member we should be providing support to it by reporting such members that abuse it.

[goaldigger]

Because merits are so hard to obtain, Its not a surprise why somebody cheated to have this one. Those who have money buys, and those who have friends exchanges theirs. The real reason and meaning of merits are now gone because of it. Even you post some quality topics or comments, it doesnt get merits unless you cheat. Hope thisl kin of cheatibg stops.

[Pearls Before Swine]

merit system don't work.. for example i write a lot of translation for a lot of project and make some guide but none of this post was merited... so my possibility to go up in the rank it's 0..

Looking at your post here, it's pretty obvious why you're not earning it.  Your English sucks, and if you're writing like this in other sections don't expect any.  Not sure what translations have to do with merit earning either, or why you even care about it.  Did you come here for the chat or to rank up?  What are you complaining about?

You'll never catch me complaining about the merit system, or even about sales.  Those people will burn themselves out eventually and the merit tap will run dry.

[imsotiredofmoviereboots]

merit system don't work.. for example i write a lot of translation for a lot of project and make some guide but none of this post was merited... so my possibility to go up in the rank it's 0..

Looking at your post here, it's pretty obvious why you're not earning it.  Your English sucks, and if you're writing like this in other sections don't expect any.  Not sure what translations have to do with merit earning either, or why you even care about it.  Did you come here for the chat or to rank up?  What are you complaining about?

You'll never catch me complaining about the merit system, or even about sales.  Those people will burn themselves out eventually and the merit tap will run dry.

Having an informative or useful post does not mean you'll get a merit.  I've seen exceptional posts that did not even get a single merit. It's like you'll have more chances getting hit with a lightning than getting a merit here so it's not surprising that members are thinking ways where they can get merits faster.

[feehannah]

If i could suggest for this situation,the merit system should be revised,because,even someone who want to give a merit to the one who have a quality posts,sometimes there's a hesitation in their minds to give it,because of,it might be sold by someone who need merits and pay. So,the really purpose of sendable merits will be useless,because of buying merits happenings.

[Marcel666]

Merits were introduced to reward quality content and ensure the input in the forum are all constructive.
Trading merits should be frowned upon measured should be put in place to check it.

[Taki]

Merit was made to determine one's post quality.
If someone buys and sells merit it means that he abuses the system.
I can guess that Merit trading is forbidden and those who try to trade Merit will probably get their thread to be deleted.

Merit also very helpful as it gives users the option to thank other users for their posts.
An ability that wasn't available before.

But selling-buying is actually happening or just exchange between friends and multiple accounts. On Local boards you may see such suggestions and other things about merit. I really do not know where the forum's moderators look for if such merit abusing stuff is happening like daily.

[Branko]

Merits were introduced to reward quality content and ensure the input in the forum are all constructive.
Trading merits should be frowned upon measured should be put in place to check it.

Are you been self-critic here?