Airdropped legendary vs self-made legendary...

[Sanitough]

This really shouldn't be up for debate - after all, we're all members here guided by the same forum rules. I see many airdrop merits and self-made legendary members actively contributing, so both are fairly making their contributions. Each of us contributes to the forum in our own way. While some stand out like LoyceV, we can't all be LoyceV to be considered valuable contributors.

As long as we avoid scams and follow the rules, everyone helps make this forum a better place. Personally, I earned my Hero status through activity alone back before the Merit system was introduced. That was likely a perk of being an early member. From what I recall, the Merit system wasn’t created to make ranking up harder, but to stop the rampant account farming that was happening at the time.

[Ultegra134]

I think that, although there are more legendary users from the pre-merit system, some of them deserve it just as much, and even more, as the legendary users from the post-merit system. Additionally, there are contributions from Hero or Sr. members that are even worthy of legendary status, especially in the technical and development areas. Merits, while they represent a rank/status, do not necessarily reflect the quality of each individual’s contributions. I created this account a couple of days after the merit system was introduced, but if I ever reach legendary status at some point, I suppose I would appreciate it more than if I had obtained it by default, since I personally wasn’t as active in my early years as I am now.

Some do, some others don't, and a large number of those who don't are inactive or aren't posting that often, so they aren't really an issue. From my perspective, most Legendary members that we often see posting in the forum would have ranked up regardless of the airdropped merit. Personally, I was an Sr Member when the merit system was introduced, and quit shortly after because of the market crash. Since then, I've acquired more than 800 merit, throught these years and if I'm honest, it's not that big of a deal if you're contributing to the forum and creating thoughtful discussions. Even without the airdrop, I would still be close to Legendary member.

[EarnOnVictor]

This post raised my curiosity, which is the reason for this thread.

Keep in mind that vas majority of legendary members became legendary before merit was introduced. And back then you only needed activity.
Nowadays its much harder to rank up due to merit requirements, and with good reason tbh

When I was a newbie, I was told that the majority of legendary members got their ranks before the merit system. I have become a legendary member and likewise many other persons, yet someone still believes that airdropped legendary members are still more than self-made legendary members.
Any data to compare both?

I also heard the same story, but to what use now? I think it happened around 2014/2015 or so, it's been a while and those who were opportune took the advantage. So, I always view it as "by the way," it's gone.

My little observation even stated otherwise, because I've seen accounts opened before 2015 having lesser status, which means that, contrary to what's widely perceived, all accounts may not enjoy the airdrop then, while many others might later be stripped of their drop/status due to activities that didn't deserve the status. And it doesn't matter if more new accounts have built their way to the legendary status, the status must be attained. Those who are holding the airdropped legendary status also deserve it by sustaining it till now due to their valuable contribution to the forum.

[adultcrypto]

I don't this is open for argument to avoid creating more division in the forum. Before the merits were airdropped, there was never scarcity of quality contributions in the forum, as a matter of fact, some of the innovations in the forum were made then and as time goes they were simply improved upon. So, there were quality post as well as great contributors then. The merit system is not also entirely without flaws because we have seen arguments about merit farming in the form of shit posting, skewed merit distribution and all manners of arguments as a result of the merit system. These were not there before the merit system was introduced.

The point is that there is no basis for comparing or faulting either of both systems because they served the same purpose of making the forum better. A good number of those who received the airdropped merits are still active in the forum and have earned multiples of those airdropped merits and are still actively contributing to the forum. Lets love lead and happy weekend to you all.

[Agbamoni]

There is no point in comparing the airdropped system or the merit system. Majority of the users who i know are ensuring there the standard of the forum are being met where made legendries with airdropped merit although i don't mean those who ranked with the merit system are not ensuring the standard remains the same. What i am saying is that most OGs in the forum received airdropped merit, the same contribution they made then they are also doing it till now. They never changed especially quality contributions.

However way we ranked up to legendary what really matters is what we are doing to make the forum a comfortable environment for everyone. Also know that, most airdropped legendary are not active in the forum. If eventually all of them were to be active you will be surprised the number of legendary accounts that exist.

[SmartGold01]

In terms of the active legendary members, I can blindly argue that those who ranked up after the merit system was introduced are far more than those who were made legendary before the merit system and were airdropped the merit based on their activities. I say I argue blindly because there is no solid data to back up the claims.

But if you check most of the active legendary members profiles from BPIP, you will notice that some of them earned almost all their merit down to that rank, some were airdropped merit to full members, which they continued from there, while some who registered in 2018 after the merit system had been introduced earned it through.

From this data "merit analysis", "self-made" high-ranked users based on earned merit Most of our legendary members fall under that list.

I think I am trying to picture out what OP is saying, because those who aren't that trying to scale through to the next rank are not in anyway putting effort or even becoming that constructive in their ways of communication. I can take myself for example; the merits system has been introduced before joining the community but yet I tried to scale through and made it to the next rank.
So, anyone who uses merits system as an excuse or a limitations for them not to move to their next rank are naturally lazy in their mode of writing for not being able to rank up for the next 7 years, this is to show that they are not productive to forum.

[philipma1957]

In terms of the active legendary members, I can blindly argue that those who ranked up after the merit system was introduced are far more than those who were made legendary before the merit system and were airdropped the merit based on their activities. I say I argue blindly because there is no solid data to back up the claims.

But if you check most of the active legendary members profiles from BPIP, you will notice that some of them earned almost all their merit down to that rank, some were airdropped merit to full members, which they continued from there, while some who registered in 2018 after the merit system had been introduced earned it through.

From this data "merit analysis", "self-made" high-ranked users based on earned merit Most of our legendary members fall under that list.

I think I am trying to picture out what OP is saying, because those who aren't that trying to scale through to the next rank are not in anyway putting effort or even becoming that constructive in their ways of communication. I can take myself for example; the merits system has been introduced before joining the community but yet I tried to scale through and made it to the next rank.
So, anyone who uses merits system as an excuse or a limitations for them not to move to their next rank are naturally lazy in their mode of writing for not being able to rank up for the next 7 years, this is to show that they are not productive to forum.

some times they are hustling very hard with 5 different accounts and making an effort to trick people into thinking they are posting well.

we are an unusual place you can earn money for your writing.

Have to say thank you to theymos for making this happen.

Now I get that someone that is trying to write a good post and not getting a merit will get pissed off.

[SmartGold01]

I think I am trying to picture out what OP is saying, because those who aren't that trying to scale through to the next rank are not in anyway putting effort or even becoming that constructive in their ways of communication. I can take myself for example; the merits system has been introduced before joining the community but yet I tried to scale through and made it to the next rank.
So, anyone who uses merits system as an excuse or a limitations for them not to move to their next rank are naturally lazy in their mode of writing for not being able to rank up for the next 7 years, this is to show that they are not productive to forum.

some times they are hustling very hard with 5 different accounts and making an effort to trick people into thinking they are posting well.

we are an unusual place you can earn money for your writing.

Have to say thank you to theymos for making this happen.

Now I get that someone that is trying to write a good post and not getting a merit will get pissed off.

Yes definitely they would get angry but the truth is always bitter.
I believe some account has gone domant since the introduction of merit system if I am not mistakenly because they may think there would be no progress in the forum due to that limitations.

But to me I don't think merit is the problem for those who aren't making progress why because, we have lot of people who are merits source that are so generous in giving away merits by either applying for post review or applying on their review thread, and people has been ranking up. So I don't see that to be a problem any longer. In fact, there is no difference between then and now the only thing I senses there is for them to be that creative in making post to qualify every each earned merits.

Now, gaining merits is not that hard either, just a simple reply as "Good" can earn someone good merits than writing awhole lot of texts and ended up with zero input.

[Mrbluntzy]

The point is that there is no basis for comparing or faulting either of both systems because they served the same purpose of making the forum better. A good number of those who received the airdropped merits are still active in the forum and have earned multiples of those airdropped merits and are still actively contributing to the forum. Lets love lead and happy weekend to you all.

OP has already stated that his intentions of creating this thread is not to compare between airdroped legendary members and self developed legendary members after the merit system was live. Maybe you can read his explanation below and I believe he has forgotten to lock this thread as he talked about locking the thread.

Many people actually misunderstood the post. This thread was not intended to compare the quality or relevance of pre-merited legendary members and self-made legendary members. I only wanted to know if the number of self-made legendary members is now more than pre-merited legendary members

I'll lock the thread in 24hrs.

[Ultegra134]

I think I am trying to picture out what OP is saying, because those who aren't that trying to scale through to the next rank are not in anyway putting effort or even becoming that constructive in their ways of communication. I can take myself for example; the merits system has been introduced before joining the community but yet I tried to scale through and made it to the next rank.
So, anyone who uses merits system as an excuse or a limitations for them not to move to their next rank are naturally lazy in their mode of writing for not being able to rank up for the next 7 years, this is to show that they are not productive to forum.

If your posts aren't crap, and you're contributing to discussions and the community, you'll eventually rank up. To be honest, many didn't like the merit system when it was introduced, I wasn't thrilled either if I'm being honest, who didn't like ranking up easily, almost effortless? However, I slowly came to realize that the merit system was necessary, it weeds out users that would otherwise rankup with zero effort, just by posting gibberish, while it distinguishes who's more helpful, enstablished and recognized member of this comminity.

Merit is merely a limitation, if you're worth it, you'll eventually rank-up. There are no excuses.

[Bitcoin Smith]

Merit is merely a limitation, if you're worth it, you'll eventually rank-up. There are no excuses.

I do agree merit system was needed to differentiate the users but it isn't the perfect too (yet). I can point out who ranked up to heros and legendaries even after the introduction of merit system but who lack even most critical things about crypto or have misunderstanding of the concept, let's say technical aspects while I am sure I have better understanding of those things compared to those users. So my point is the merit system helped the system, but the number of merits or their ranks alone is not enough to determine the quality of their posts.

[Ultegra134]

I do agree merit system was needed to differentiate the users but it isn't the perfect too (yet). I can point out who ranked up to heros and legendaries even after the introduction of merit system but who lack even most critical things about crypto or have misunderstanding of the concept, let's say technical aspects while I am sure I have better understanding of those things compared to those users. So my point is the merit system helped the system, but the number of merits or their ranks alone is not enough to determine the quality of their posts.

I don't believe that there's such a thing as a perfect and fair to everyone system. I feel that I know a few of those users you're referring to, some write worse than a child in elementary school, but still managed to rank up by collecting merit in specific areas of this forum which I'm not going to name, as it's not relevant here.

I'm not blaming you for pinpointing that the merit system has flaws, but I've barely seen anyone suggesting something that's actually thoughtful and useful for the forum.

[Sandra_hakeem]

you will find many members with little to no knowledge of how BTC actually works and still have thousends of merit

I'd argue you don't need to know how Bitcoin really works (on a technical level) to be able to use it, but I get what you mean.

Making use of it is one thing; engaging in a serious discussion about it is undeniably the most bizarre things to try out as a newbie. You know the feeling of reading through pages and pages, without a single idea on point.
I have never seen a farmed account with thousands of merits though.

What I’m trying to say is that merit count can be very misleading — not just from a technical perspective. Some people contribute very little and still earn merit, and the opposite is also true.

why should anyone argue on this? I can't help but recall one time a user posted about not getting the usual amount of merit since his new ranks (I can't recall who that was) -- it's a kind of worrisome situation and more of a daunting task for some, but for others just like you said, it's easy easy.