OP, you've been on the site for over a year and don't know about the merit system? I'm very surprised. Usually, we see the opposite picture: newcomers are most aware of the merits and rules of the forum.
Apparently and i fee as well that this thread is best suited for the beginners and help board so, I'll kindly suggest OP thus moves it there.
With regards to what you've said at his thread being the direct opposite of what we see often on the forum, I think OP is just trolling and I have this to prove that.
The #Merit topic is very interesting. When I was brand-new member, I scalled through other members and discovered they were either Jnr or Snr members, while others were Members and Legendary, some Hero, I felt like I was really brandnew and intimidated by such two stars, three and four to five stars members. You know what? I comforted myself! I thought that when I start posting and as my days on the platform increases, I will be a Jnr member one day. Never knew my post has to be quality to attract merit and that merit too could influence my rank, or possibly not.
Till now, I am a Newbie with 22 posts and just 1 merit.
Please how do I know that I am making a quality post because I need to start posting high quality posts, get merits and leave Newbie zone.
The statement in board letters gives me the impression that, OP is very much aware of the Profile rank and Merit relationship as OP has titled this thread.
Mean while, its always surprising to see users quickly adopt to instructions and follow up perfectly in the bounty section of the form but somehow, can understand the other aspects of the forum that is basically expression of thoughts. Anyway, its good your back to doing actual forum participation, avoid plagiarism and be you in all you do.