Quick Question About Merit Fishing and Pre the Merit System

[Davidvictorson]

Today, I put up a post to celebrate my 365 days(1 year) of being registered on this forum but then I had to delete the contents, lock, and move it to archival because a user said it was merit fishing and other stuff. Truth be told I felt terrible because I know how much of a struggle it was to stay in the forum. I was offline from January 17, 2022, to April 5th. I won't go into details because it is personal.

This incident got me thinking about the forum before the merit system was created.

• Aside from merit fishing, spam, low-value, and garbage posts, what other accusations were leveled against other members of this forum?
• How do you create topics that you feel matter to you without making it seem as if you are merit fishing?

[1715181604]

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[1715181604]

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[1715181604]

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[1715181604]

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[BlackHatCoiner]

Quick question about merit fishing? That smells like merit fishing!    jk

Aside from merit fishing, spam, low-value, and garbage posts, what other accusations were leveled against other members of this forum?

Spam, low-value, garbage, what's the difference? They're all shitposts. To answer your question, plagiarism, merit cycling (there's a Fox something club too), scams, shilling altcoins, ban evasion, sockpuppeting. Once, one was even accused for pedophilia too. In a bitcoin forum.

How do you create topics that you feel matter to you without making it seem as if you are merit fishing?

If I feel there's something essential to be said, I say it. There you go. And don't post frequently to the WO.

[Z-tight]

Many members here feel there is no need for some of the celebratory posts that people come up with, the idea is that some other members' had done it before and received merits, so others want to try out their luck with that, i know the true intentions of a member's post can't be determined, but if majority of the members seem to do it for merits, those who do not will still sound like them, so it is better not to do it, or just post it here: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5391471.0

Bitcointalk is a discussion forum about bitcoin and crypto, and other things too, and if achievements here is to count for anything, then it will have to be a really high achievement, maybe if you reach Legendary rank, or if you manage to sensitize or teach people in your local community about bitcoin, or run a bitcoin seminar, etc, i am sure if you celebrate things like that here, it will be appreciated.

[Hamza2424]

Its Upto to you buddy that how you celebrate because creating topics is allowed to everyone. Rest of the things are as follow,

As Merit system is to remove spams and Inactive Users i.e if i like some post i can definitely +merit him byt that +merit should not be Spamming like multi accounts no matter its Quality posts or not because sometimes i like something but otherone didn't.

Merit Fishing is an Allegation because How can you judge a topic of celebration with merit fishing may / may not be he/she is excited for telling story that may inspire aomeone.

Reat of the thing BTT is Freedom of speach by Taking care of Rules rest of things other knows better.

[The Cryptovator]

Users have freedom of speech here, so doesn't necessary to delete or lock thread what others say. People blame because of some merit hunters. But that doesn't mean all user's hunts merit celebration posts. Also, it doesn't necessary to create another topic as well. Just let them speak what they want. If you can't ignore criticism then you may just keep locking the thread. Doesn't necessary to move in the archive or delete.

[The Sceptical Chymist]

merit cycling (there's a Fox something club too)

I don't think that exclusive club is all about what you think it is--and I do hope you don't think our coven is sending merits back and forth to each other, because that isn't the case at all.  If there was a group of members doing that, I'm not even sure it'd be breaking any rules (though I have no doubt that they'd be publicly called out for merit abuse, and rightfully so).

Many members here feel there is no need for some of the celebratory posts that people come up with, the idea is that some other members' had done it before and received merits, so others want to try out their luck with that

I'm one of those members who thinks the self-congratulatory threads have an icky feeling to them at best, and some of them are definite attempts to earn merits.  However, I don't think anyone ought to be prevented from making a thread like that if they want to.

With respect to whether OP's post was a merit phishing expedition, that would depend on what was written I think. 

Aside from merit fishing, spam, low-value, and garbage posts, what other accusations were leveled against other members of this forum?

Jesus, that could be a hundred page thread of its own.  The forum right now is tame in comparison to, say, 2018-19, when it was nonstop mudslinging from multiple cliques and one-on-one matches as well.  Some people are quick to accuse others of wrongdoing, but it's kind of always been that way since I've been here.  I knew before I registered that this was no forum for pussies.

How do you create topics that you feel matter to you without making it seem as if you are merit fishing?

99% of what people would consider merit phishing threads are started by members who haven't been here long, are already advertising something in their signature or avatar space, and just come across as wanting merits so they can rank up and make more money.  A lot of the time, they write very long posts with little substance and with much repetition, probably thinking that members with merits to give will be impressed by the sheer length of their post. 

As the saying goes, it's like pornography:  it's hard to define precisely but you know it when you see it.

[Welsh]

Take a look at the Meta section back in the time period you want to know more about. The thing is, there has, and will always be something to complain about. I've seen users say it was better years ago, but really you'll find users complaining about it back then.

Spam, and low quality is sort of part, and parcel of having a large forum, especially when you combine different people from all sorts of walks of life. I think we're in a pretty good place, could it be improved, maybe? However, I'm not sure how we would go about that, without restricting everyone, which obviously should be refrained from if possible.

[isaac_clarke22]

• Aside from merit fishing, spam, low-value, and garbage posts, what other accusations were leveled against other members of this forum?
• How do you create topics that you feel matter to you without making it seem as if you are merit fishing?

Like other members mentioned in here, plagiarism were also common accusations. I recall some higher ranking members that made that kind of mistake before.

For your second question, as long as you are genuine about your post, you shouldn't worry about it. You do you.
One notable pattern I see from merit fishers is that they create threads without even bothering to lock their previous ones nor had any interest on replying to any of the replies in the thread.

[Agbe]

• Aside from merit fishing, spam, low-value, and garbage posts, what other accusations were leveled against other members of this forum?
• How do you create topics that you feel matter to you without making it seem as if you are merit fishing?

This is a vital thread of the month. Do you know that I am even afraid to create thread in the forum? Because any thread that I struggle and some time with a sleepless nights to create and post, they must  accused me of merit phishing/fishing. For that reason my human right of freedom of speech as been trampled upon. So I can't freely express myself because I will be accused of merit phishing. I have never hide my identity, mostly my knowledge on bitcoin. I had a very poor knowledge on bitcoin until it was when I came to this forum that I am getting more knowledge on bitcoin and other crypto currencies. Therefore, I am allowed  to  made suggestions from the threads I have read. And if the suggestions are useless. It can be advised to delete or lock or tell me or direct me what to do, then I will follow up, but instead they would be accusing you of merit phishing. There was a time I wanted to give up from the forum because the accusations were much. But users encouraged me not to give up because learning bitcoin will be a good help in my Life has a youth.

Just imagine someone is saying that the OP is merit phishing. When a vital question is been asked. Now any thread one create is for merit phishing. Isn't it?

The Pharmacist thanks for the explanation

merit cycling (there's a Fox something club too)

I don't think that exclusive club is all about what you think it is--and I do hope you don't think our coven is sending merits back and forth to each other, because that isn't the case at all.  If there was a group of members doing that, I'm not even sure it'd be breaking any rules (though I have no doubt that they'd be publicly called out for merit abuse, and rightfully so).

Many members here feel there is no need for some of the celebratory posts that people come up with, the idea is that some other members' had done it before and received merits, so others want to try out their luck with that

I'm one of those members who thinks the self-congratulatory threads have an icky feeling to them at best, and some of them are definite attempts to earn merits.  However, I don't think anyone ought to be prevented from making a thread like that if they want to.

With respect to whether OP's post was a merit phishing expedition, that would depend on what was written I think. 

Aside from merit fishing, spam, low-value, and garbage posts, what other accusations were leveled against other members of this forum?

Jesus, that could be a hundred page thread of its own.  The forum right now is tame in comparison to, say, 2018-19, when it was nonstop mudslinging from multiple cliques and one-on-one matches as well.  Some people are quick to accuse others of wrongdoing, but it's kind of always been that way since I've been here.  I knew before I registered that this was no forum for pussies.

How do you create topics that you feel matter to you without making it seem as if you are merit fishing?

99% of what people would consider merit phishing threads are started by members who haven't been here long, are already advertising something in their signature or avatar space, and just come across as wanting merits so they can rank up and make more money.  A lot of the time, they write very long posts with little substance and with much repetition, probably thinking that members with merits to give will be impressed by the sheer length of their post. 

As the saying goes, it's like pornography:  it's hard to define precisely but you know it when you see it.

I think this is clear.

[libert19]

Remove signature and people will stop thinking you are merit phishing and might give you some as well 

[dzungmobile]

It start with reason why you made a topic.

A topic should be created if there are issues must be solved. If issues are not real issues, that topic is unnecessary to be created and it will lead to complain.
It is like when you are a researcher and you apply grant for your research. Skip that how you get a grant for it, if your research questions are non-sense, stupid and just repeat what other researchers did, without anything creative and helpful to solve any new issue, it is unnecessary from the start. And it will result in complain.

Same in this forum. Many newbies create topics that are not actually needed. Because there are answers already. They can search and get answers.

[lovesmayfamilis]

You could, just like everyone else, post your celebration in the thread that users pointed you to, where it was recommended to write, so as not to look like a merit hunter. A lot of people don't like the vaunted themes, so @BitcoinGirl.Club created one single theme, which I find very convenient. There are many successful people on the forum, and each success is not necessarily a legend rank. Just imagine how many topics we could see from those who became members and so on. Indeed, for many, it is a great joy. Therefore, it is better to be modest; it deserves respect.

Was the topic you created, which received a large amount of merit, accused of merit hunting? Or did someone reproach you for this? This theme was great. Here is an example for you when no one will suspect you of anything.

Otherwise, since many topics are discussed very often on the forum, the appearance of a new topic that does not contain anything unique in itself will be suspected of hunting.

But by no means should you stop creating your topics. You just can do better, and you have proven it, so don't be discouraged and move on.

[Gambit2s]

• How do you create topics that you feel matter to you without making it seem as if you are merit fishing?

I don't understand why people seem to love posting these "self praise" posts what purpose does it serve ? you can always post it here if you're really into that (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5391471.0),The topic is self-moderated as to keep things clean and plus the reputation section is already filled up at this point

bonus points:

As i can see people get decent merits for posting there (If thats what you're hoping to get).

[Davidvictorson]

Thanks to everyone who responded to my queries. I am satisfied with the replies hence why I locked the topic.

The key takeaways for me are:
1- I can post my forum achievements, celebrations and all but it should be done in the thread created by @BitcoinGirl.Club
2- Develop a thick skin and do not be discouraged: There are users in the forum who are quick to accuse others of wrong doing.
3- Users are less likely to accuse you of merit phishing if you aren't wearing a signature, avatar or making an advertisement.
4- Spam, low-value, and garbage posts have been tamed now compared to the pre merit "system".
5 - Users have freedom of speech in the forum