Firstly, if you are only here on BitcoinTalk because of the existence of signature campaigns then you're here for the wrong reason. A forum is meant to be a corner for meaningful discussion, the sharing of ideas and innovations, and a friendly environment to grow and learn, not somewhere that a horde of users force out quotas of
meaningless drivel. I understand the fact that monetary rewards for discussing is appealing, but the fact that there is this much complaint about a system that is designed to limit this reward against people who spam solely for signature campaigns says something about the condition of the forum.
The number of points divided by 2 for each allocation will quickly show these limits and I doubt that the new points distributed monthly can counterbalance this.
It is a new idea, and as many newly implemented ideas are, I'm sure that if the current number of users who are able to merit without limit isn't enough to bring enough merit around the forum to reward the average user, it will be drastically changed to fit the need.
Moreover, this distribution of points each month to a small number of users isn't an insult to our beloved decentralization? To this system set up by Satoshi who wants to free ourselves from the institutions?
When we see those who received the most merit points today (theymos, lutpin, satoshi...) Everything is said.
There will always be a natural gradient and those who provide the quality content that the forum needs will be rewarded in the forum. I see no problem with that, considering that merit points are not "all going towards the small number of users" - there's still plenty to go around for those who deserve it. And wouldn't you rather see the users who are positively contributing to the forum ranking up rather than having the rank system be a measure of consistency? Although it may not seem like it now, rank will gradually become much more meaningful.
I'm also afraid that a real arranged traffic will develop around these points. "I'll give you 10 points, so you owe me 10." That people dont give points to quality posts, but to people who are likely to give them back.
This has been brought up several times, but I doubt that this will be a real issue with the system of deteriorating merit as it is distributed. If it is, then, as mentioned before, it will be adapted and improved according to how the community uses it.
I am also afraid, as we have already noticed, that a system of begging is being set up : "I'm willing to answer your question, if you give me merit points."...
I don't particularly see this being an issue as people should expect others to utilize the merit system where need be. And if one refuses to help someone in need just for a few digits on a computer screen, they don't deserve to be here; the community should be on the lookout for those users and discourage that kind of behavior by acting out against them.
I invite all users to spend their merit points honestly and intelligently (the legendaries don't need it for example)
The merit system is purely to reward posts that deserve it. Continue contributing quality and you won't have to worry about who receives merit.
The new merit system won't be friendly for newbies since they won't be able to post quality comments because they still lack knowledge.
Newbies will be able to spend 8 weeks here until they are first limited by merit (@ 60 activity to become a member). That is plenty of time if they are serious about learning bitcoin.