Don't judge someone's knowledge of bitcoin and bitcointalk from their ranks because there are lot of exceptions to explain the ranks is not actually determine everything, just go to the technical board where you see low ranked members who have more knowledge about how bitcoin things works than some random legendary posting in bounties or altcoin board.
Correct man , we don't need to use rank in judging members of the forum, sometimes high rank member can stop doing research and this will make him not to increase in knowledge. A newbie can start investing his time on research and his handling of discussion will be as that of a member with high rank.