Some times we can't say(and we shouldn't) every Merited posts are good ant quality posts. But sometimes some of the members have followed the posters profile (reputation matters in sometimes, not always) before they are going to award any Merit. You wasted your time to find out posts which not worthy Merits. Instead I would like to suggest read the posts of satoshi's from the beginning can gain more knowledge than you imagined. Just follow the top Merited users and follow their posts, how they contribute to the forum, how they answers for the questions asked by others rather than complaining or finding out posts which not worthy to be Merited.
It is hard to flaw Satoshis posting style and contribution. It is also impossible to read his writing without feeling an amount of awe.
No it hasn't. I don't think you understand how merit works or what it is.
I think as hilariousetc pointed out - I don't think jenia2 fully understands how the merit system works.
It probably also isn't a good idea to try and use some of the top posters on the forum as an example why the previous system unfairly advantaged them.
By using averages - over the time that hilariousetc and LoyceV have been on the forum they would have each accumulated much more merits by now than the 1000 that they received for their rank at the start of the merit system.
Full member accounts like these show jenia2 has a valid point about "some" of the airdropped merit.
https://bitcointalksearch.org/user/dimon2307-1061674https://bitcointalksearch.org/user/naes-1179979If you put it this way, jenia2 has a point: many of the current high ranking members haven't earned much Merit. And someone who hasn't earned much Merit since January, wouldn't have earned 1000 Merit in 4 years either. So yes, there's a windfall for old accounts, just like people who own Bitcoin for many years have a windfall.
That doesn't mean Merit is bad, it only means it should have been implemented sooner. But better late than never!
But like LoyceV observed. jenia2 does have a valid point.
Firstly to prove an account like a legendary account doesn't deserve their 1000 airdropped merit from the previous system you would have to check all their posts to make sure that there are no hidden gems in their to deserve 1000 retrospective merits.
For example:
If a user makes 1000 posts only a few will get merits. So 100 merit-able posts may get between 1 and 100 merits each. That leaves 900 posts that would never get a merit.
You would also have to take into consideration that Merit can have a positive effect. It makes people more aware of trying to make quality posts. While I don't care about rank (I don't do bounties or signature campaigns) - I have become more aware of the quality of posts. (Being dyslexic I use a spellcheck and re-read to ensure my grammar is correct). So spend a bit more time to ensure the quality is OK.
I agree with LoyceV
So yes, there's a windfall for old accounts, just like people who own Bitcoin for many years have a windfall.
That doesn't mean Merit is bad, it only means it should have been implemented sooner. But better late than never!
Also in my view - there is a difference between a person who adopted bitcoin in 2009 - 2013 and joined this forum and someone who ranks up now after 2 years to legendary. Unless they show exceptional crypto skills - it is just not the same.
Someone who was part of the early crowd is in my opinion a legend of sorts - even if they shitpost and not as much of a legend as those that post quality posts.
Experience = input
Quality posts = output
Rank shouldn't just be an attendance award but involve participation.