Ranks don't matter, really, if you're in it for the discussion and knowledge. There are a few legendaries I know back then that doesn't even know how to sign a message using their bitcoin address so your assumption is somewhat true. Also, ranks are available in this forum to distinguish people who are really into forum posting and a small incentive for those who spent a long time within the boards. There's not much really weight into it other than bragging rights that I have spent X amount of time and posted X amount of posts in this forum.

Knowledge isn't define by ranks; a great example is the current POTUS and his puny officials backing him on everything.