This is what I don't understand, though. If you only want to meet the requirements with low quality PRs, you've always been able to achieve that with your own p

This is what I don't understand, though. If you only want to meet the requirements with low quality PRs, you've always been able to achieve that with your own public repository. I've mostly used Hacktoberfest as an annual opportunity to learn some new tech that I've read about but haven't yet had a chance to try. I start a new public repo and work through their tutorial doing PRs to commit chunks for each major section etc. Open source. No spam for anyone. I learn something. Free shirt. Practicing PR hygiene on your own repo if it's something you're not already familiar with is also a benefit.