Your thread title could be from a tabloid,
@Edge45.
It's not like I gave a damn about that, just wanted to mention it.
Anyway, on topic:
The custom icons that have been added have no huge impact, they are gimmicks, no more no less.
You can, of course, see them as a "reward" for the number of posts or for the money donated
to the Hive.
However, you can also see the icons themselves as something that is an achievement itself,
something that makes you "stand out" more.
You may post a lot or donate a lot and then have the possibility to use the new rank icons,
because you find them fancy.
You may also post or donate only because you want some custom icon to display.
It is all a matter of perspective and motivation.
The true question is: What motivates you?
Are you donating to Hive/posting so much just to gain the rewards or are you doing it
because you want to do it and feel like it is the right thing to do?
In the end, the icons still mean nothing and are but a decoration of your own profile without
any higher meaning.
The only meaning behind those icons is that you a) donated enough to get one or b) have
been active enough to get it. If your donations or posts had any other meaning than
to get said icon, is something only you yourself can know for real.