OP, even if you're new and don't know how to use the forum, it would be helpful to just click the links. Take a look around. Find out what this forum is. And why do you care about merit more than knowledge about bitcoin? Merit questions are very popular, so try to be original, and your merit will come to you very soon.
Well speaking lovesmayfamilis...I support lovesmayfamilis and also will give you (OP) merit if the reasons of yours are accepted by lovesmayfamilis.
I believed the OP is asking the merit base on the orientation gotten from the source of his or her information about the forum, that is the person who introduced the forum gave the OP is the caused of all these questions. I don't think the OP will have a good reason of asking the merits if not to rank up and join campaign. Look at this, why a newbie asking of merit instead of reading and learning. When a real newbie comes to the forum and ready to learn, it is very clear to identify them. They ask reasonable questions and learn things from the forum and earn merits from the learning process. Although mistake is inevitable. That not withstanding. OP you can earn merit when you post quality post and make a reasonable comments to educate people.