The actual best thing would be some way of preventing people posting on a thread unless they can prove they have actually read and understood the preceding posts, including the OP.  The number of threads that consist of people posting the exact same thing over and over or completely misunderstanding the OP and posting totally irrelevant bollocks is unreal.

Perhaps there should a captcha-style check, where you get tested on contents of the thread before you are allowed to post ...

In that case, I wish you a happy birthday, Loyce! 🎈🎂

I guess it's a sign which means you are owing the forum some merits (i.e Loudmouth)..  Lolz😂, But however, you are not the only one having this negative merit, as everybody found to have it all have a common new invented forum rank called "Loudmouth" as could be seen below

   

You're welcome - it's really strange that no one noticed it before - it must be some kind of magic or it's the 3-body problem that is mentioned very often these days

Some city slicker decided he'd had enough of the rat-race.  He sold his Park Avenue apartment, and bought a few acres out in the country to start a farm.  Once he got the place set up, he decided he needed an animal to help with the labor, and since he liked fresh eggs for breakfast, chickens were also in order.

He went to the animal auction, and told the manager what he was looking for.  The manager pointed to an animal, and said "That's what you need, it'll carry your tools out the field and help carry your harvest back to your barn."

"Perfect," the new farmer said, "Is that a donkey?"
"Yes," the manger said, "but around here we call it an 'ass' and this one has a peculiarity.  Once in a while it likes to stop along the side of the road and graze on the grasses it finds there.  All you have to do is scratch it behind the ears and it'll listen to you again."

"Okay," the man said, "Thanks for letting me know.  I also want to raise chickens for eggs, so I guess I'll need a rooster and a hen."
The manager looked at him funny, and said "Oh you want young ones, and around here we call them a cock and a pullet."

The new farmer thanked the manager, paid for his new live stock, tucked the young chickens under his arms, and commanded the donkey to follow behind.  On his way home he noticed a beautiful young lady coming towards him.  Just as he was about to bid her good morning, he notice his donkey had stopped a few yards back to graze on the side of the road.  So, instead of bidding the young lady good morning, he said "excuse me miss, would you please hold my cock and pullet while I scratch my ass?"

  We have a winner

He adapts to the situation more than anyone else

By the way, the more merits you had before 1st April, it would need harder work to be in the negative and then getting -354883 is something extraordinary.

Don't think anyone could beat this 

When I just accessed forum today, I'm surprised seeing my merits dropped and may rank changed. But I suddenly remember it is April 01, we always have April fool event. I checked BPIP and Meta board, my guess is true that it is a part of our yearly event.  

Honestly, it is the first time I'm shocked with April fool event. Thanks theymos, this time you really made a cool surprise.

 

Hi theymos,

I think you overreacted and this is not a fair decision. We all appreciate the work of moderators, but it is infinitely difficult to check and evaluate all posts  for value. In addition, they may have different meanings for different forum participants. I strongly urge you to reconsider your decision, I do not agree with the assessment of my posts.

SONE

Hope its not one of those April Fool prank.