Totally agree, merit is the main topic on the forum, looks like no one give a fuck about bitcoin any more, and that's sad. Merits are like the new 'Likes', every one wants them, and bitcoin is there sited in his corner just watching.
Personally i don't like the merit system, maybe is because i get 1000 merits when it start, but i don't like it because i used to be on this forum to learn about bitcoin, and was really useful for that, but now we only see merit talks anywhere, and is fun to see how users who haven't ever made a bitcoin transaction are making tons of merits. At end merits will not give you experience with crypto coins, merits is just a social game to push people to bring their best ideas. And is a good way to filter the spam and get good quality stuff, that will not make us a good bitcoiners.