Option to Allow / Restrict merits on the OP Posts

[DabsPoorVersion]

I have tried to find any possible reason for why this functionality should be added to the system but cannot think of even one. Unless I am missing the obvious, there cannot be any  reason why anybody would be benefitting by have access to this function. This option should not even be considered to be added on the shortlist of any potential patch.

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rather give merits to ordinary people.

There's no need. It's totally unnecessary so don't waste your time thinking for any possible reason.

The main point I can see in this function is the same as giving pity to another user who has not received any merit by making a lot of posts.

OP, remember we are all ordinary people here sending merit is an individual choice.

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[Casdinyard]

It's good and all but I just wanna ask, why?

For this to even be considered "viable" the question has to be asked: What painpoint of self-moderated topics is this going to solve? Is it solving anything or is it going to introduce a solution to a problem that doesn't exist? Cause I haven't seen anyone, who's more into creating self-moderated topics who wished they could disable merit sending in their threads? You could argue that this is to stop shitposters from getting merited or whatever but I'd argue that they get even lesser chances of racking merits in threads like these compared to regular threads. 9 times out of 10 your shitpost's getting deleted in self-moderated posts faster than modded posts cause there's a tendency for post masters to watch their threads closely, LoyceV included (I got my post deleted cause it was out of context based on the current flow of the conversation in his thread that one time, not mad about it, actually happy that it happened cause I wouldn't want it any other way)

Again, this doesn't solve any issue in my opinion, I'd argue this is going to bring even more problems in the long run since it's going to change a fundamental aspect of the bitcointalk forum.