I see the hat thing as a process - when you are new in SN, yes, that's a simple way to show as POW; but then later on, it's better to focus on creating value than hanging onto the hat only, paying too much on the outside thing take away many joys; and you might want stalkers to actually pay attention to your work, not because you are having the hat.
I enjoy being underground - not doing anything for the hat, but keep having fun here:)
Why do you care? It's a label. Nice boy, you got a participation trophy.... Your Mum would be proud! lol Value for Value, not posting crap for a hat.... YMMV, to each his own tho...
I do have a busy life that's set to get busier (hence the lacking activity on my @lain account aside from external funding) so it's easier to zap interesting content and reply every now and then with a reply that isn't extremely brief.
Plus, if was nice to have an indicator that showed I was as active as I could be. Maybe I won't even give too much of a shit about the hat streak this year, as per @Natalia's takes on it.
stalkers🤣 stackers....