Merit awarding

[o_e_l_e_o]

Merit is supposed to be awarded for quality and/or helpfulness of posts, however, I often feel as though it's an "agree button".

I do think this can be an issue at times. I make an effort to merit posts which I think are constructive or contributing well to the topic at hand, even if I don't agree with them, and even if I happen to be arguing directly against them. I know several other users who are pretty vocal in their intention to use merit in this way as well, but I agree there is a generally feeling that merit equates to like/agree.

At least we don't have the problem reddit does of ordering posts by merit received/upvotes. It becomes an echo chamber of popular posts rising to the top, and any dissenting or unpopular view, regardless of how well it is argued or presented, or sometimes even regardless of it being right/correct/factual, being buried at the bottom.

While we will not be directly moderating this, I encourage people to give merit to posts that are objectively high-quality, not just posts that you agree with.

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[astadbtc]

Not gonna get merits with that attitude, that's for sure.

Either way I wouldn't be able to get a decent amount of merit.
Also you would probably enjoyed if I kissed your ass for merit. And that's what others are probaby doing to get 1 merit and reach 100 after 3 years. Not going to do that though. Probably that's what this system is about.
Kissing old members ass.

So funny how all these members somehow collude to make a point. Why did you jump in the discussion suchmoon? You felt overwhelmed by the injustice against your buddie "o_e_l_e_o"?

[suchmoon]

Either way I wouldn't be able to get a decent amount of merit.
Also you would probably enjoyed if I kissed your ass for merit. And that's what others are probaby doing to get 1 merit and reach 100 after 3 years. Not going to do that though. Probably that's what this system is about.
Kissing old members ass.

So the opposite of clicking a link is kissing ass? What a weird world you live in.

It's a forum. If you can't participate in a discussion to the point of refusing to read what other users post, then yeah, you're gonna have a hard time.

So funny how all these members somehow collude to make a point. Why did you jump in the discussion suchmoon? You felt overwhelmed by the injustice against your buddie "o_e_l_e_o"?

You need a new dictionary.

"injustice" <> "petulant newbie throwing a tantrum"

Also o_e_l_e_o is not my "buddie", our relationship is much more complicated.

[LoyceV]

Also you would probably enjoyed if I kissed your ass for merit. And that's what others are probaby doing to get 1 merit and reach 100 after 3 years. Not going to do that though. Probably that's what this system is about.
Kissing old members ass.

That might work on some, but I'd like to think it doesn't work on me. My ass couldn't care less

So funny how all these members somehow collude to make a point. Why did you jump in the discussion suchmoon? You felt overwhelmed by the injustice against your buddie "o_e_l_e_o"?

Have you considered the possibility that "old members" have experience, and have seen the terrible spam from account farmers? This is why theymos created and later enhanced the Merit system.

Yes, the airdropped Merit isn't fair, but it is the way it is. Several people (including me) have suggested to (slowly) reduce the airdropped amount, but it doesn't look like it's going to happen.

No, you don't need to be a native English speaker. I've seen a few members with quite bad English, but the content of their posts makes sense and they've earned a lot of Merit.

That being said, you don't look like the type of spammer the Merit system was supposed to stop, so I've merited one of your posts. If you use the system as a motivation to improve yourself, you too can help to improve this forum.

[o_e_l_e_o]

Also o_e_l_e_o is not my "buddie", our relationship is much more complicated.

Well, this wouldn't be the first time you've felt overwhelmed by me.

So funny how all these members somehow collude to make a point. Why did you jump in the discussion suchmoon? You felt overwhelmed by the injustice against your buddie "o_e_l_e_o"?

I would hardly say they were jumping to my defense. Much like in the thread you were initially referencing, you made a point that was incorrect (only native English speakers can earn merit), and you were corrected. One of the old sayings of the internet states that "the best way to get the right answer on the internet is not to ask a question; it's to post the wrong answer." If anyone (including your perceived "ass kissers or kissees") posts incorrect information, they can expect to be corrected. It's really not a big deal. In fact, I often merit people who point out if I've made a mistake or there is a flaw in my logic.

[The Sceptical Chymist]

i discovered it was not directly increasing according to the number of post

It certainly doesn't automatically increase with post count, but hopefully you've learned what the merit system is all about from the replies here.  There are Newbies or Jr. Members with over 1000 posts and zero (or almost zero) merits earned.  If you tend to make thoughtful, constructive replies then your chances are a lot better for a correlation but there's no guarantee that you'll earn more merits as you post more.  Some of it depends on which section(s) you're posting in.  There are ones like Bitcoin Discussion which are filled with spam, and there isn't a lot of reading being done there and chances are if you make decent posts in that section, they'll get missed.

Also, many members rely on Merit sources and those sources do not exist in those sections ----> improve the level of your posts and try to learn more about Mining, Speculation, and some technical things.

Good advice, although Mining is a tough section to even post in.  If your post isn't on-topic and constructive, the chances are it'll get reported quick.  And I think in order to earn merits in the technical sections, you really have to know what you're talking about.  Not sure if OP has the stones to earn merits there.

So funny how all these members somehow collude to make a point. Why did you jump in the discussion suchmoon? You felt overwhelmed by the injustice against your buddie "o_e_l_e_o"?

It might be funny to you, but it's not surprising to me in the least.  Older members tend to frequent Meta, and that's kind of been a long-standing thing.  You also don't have to kiss anyone's ass to earn merits.  Your posts just have to be good and visible to people with sMerits to give.  Unfortunately there are so many shitposts around that it's hard to even find exceptional posts.

[CryptopreneurBrainboss]

Either way I wouldn't be able to get a decent amount of merit.

Change this mindsets of yours and you'll definitely see a different result considering if you up your game in regards to contributing positively to discussion. Fighting the system won't help matters (it has never helped anyone). you just have to embrace the change and search for ways to benefit from it which the obvious is been productive on the forum.

Probably that's what this system is about, kissing old members ass.

Don't have the stats to back this up but from my observation, most of the old members you speak off aren't interested in the merit system per say (excluding the merit sources) so you just have to find better excuses for your lack of recieving merits and not this.

[LFC_Bitcoin]

Either way I wouldn't be able to get a decent amount of merit.
Also you would probably enjoyed if I kissed your ass for merit. And that's what others are probaby doing to get 1 merit and reach 100 after 3 years. Not going to do that though. Probably that's what this system is about.
Kissing old members ass.

So funny how all these members somehow collude to make a point. Why did you jump in the discussion suchmoon? You felt overwhelmed by the injustice against your buddie "o_e_l_e_o"?

If you simply add something positive to the forum, be nice to people & make even moderately good posts you’ll get Merit.

At the moment you’re just coming across as an angry, bitter dick head.

Seriously, it’s never too late to change the way you post. Try & be helpful, provide some positive insights, help people.

You’re clearly not stupid, you can string a sentence together. Give it a go for a week & I bet you’ll gain at least 5 Merit.

[dkbit98]

Either way I wouldn't be able to get a decent amount of merit.
Also you would probably enjoyed if I kissed your ass for merit. And that's what others are probaby doing to get 1 merit and reach 100 after 3 years. Not going to do that though. Probably that's what this system is about.
Kissing old members ass.

So funny how all these members somehow collude to make a point. Why did you jump in the discussion suchmoon? You felt overwhelmed by the injustice against your buddie "o_e_l_e_o"?

If you simply add something positive to the forum, be nice to people & make even moderately good posts you’ll get Merit.

At the moment you’re just coming across as an angry, bitter dick head.

Seriously, it’s never too late to change the way you post. Try & be helpful, provide some positive insights, help people.

You’re clearly not stupid, you can string a sentence together. Give it a go for a week & I bet you’ll gain at least 5 Merit.

It is true.
Anyone can change the way they are posting.

My suggestion for person complaining is to find out few things he is good at,
learn more about Bitcoin and blockchain, help others solve problems, or any kind of help,
and you will get some more merits for sure.
I saw some fantastic examples of members ranking up fast.