I wonder if it is random, or under admin control. I noticed that a couple of members became legendaries at around 800 activity, and this was just before the merit system was introduced. I think they probably deserved the uprank, but it does make one wonder if there is a bit of admin control over the process.

Human nature is strange, I didn't really bother about becoming a legendary, but now that I can see the door in front of me ( it's still closed though ), I've started to watch the counts. I'm not sure what benefits there are with being a legendary, other than the oxidation of my last coin.