I'm trying to think of something that would justify the awarding of 50 merits, but I can't
Because by the current merit supply probably there isn't.
Creating out of thin air something as valuable as topics from the old days is close to impossible.
Besides, I think you're trying too hard and your current target is not worth it.
Hero members who contribute to the forum will still get their merits, a bit slower a bit faster than others but those that deserve it will rank up one day (even me...probably...
).
I would rather see juniors of full members creating topics worth if not 50 at least 10, and if this would happen in the BD section, I would enjoy it even more and throw in a bit of merit as well.
The merit system is working, but the rain of spam can drown good threads, and wash away the seeds. Senior members often start the better topics, and this gives the newer members a chance to learn and contribute.
Combined with what I've said above and the current topic
Have we left "Bitcoin Discussion" board for spammers, forever?? , I often feel the urge to open a topic there but when I see how the non-moderated ones are flooded with spam and the moderated are avoided like the plague my enthusiasm drops like a stone.
Maybe it will be a good idea to start those topics yourself and reward people who really contribute rather than put a bounty for a thread that might never get popular...
Or even better, as The Pharmacist said...chill out bro !!!