Instead of wasting your time debating on legendary users with or without merit, why not forcus that energy into building your account? Get off meta explore other boards out there. There are enough merit to rank up whoever whats to rank up out there, work for it and you recieved them. Irrespective of how the old system worked, you don't deprived users a privilege they have recieved just because you feel the system isn't fair to you. They earned their spot as early users of forum and possibly early bitcoin adopters. Not recieving merit doesn't general mean you're an unproductive user of the forum.

On a general note, these guys (legendary users) are presume to not need merit just because they have achieved the highest rank possible, merit can get them. Therefore must of their quality contributions goes unrewarded which shouldn't be so. Give them a break.