I think we're looking at it the wrong way. The ranks themselves are pointless. Perhaps curbing people's pursuit of a pointless objective has a point unto itself.

Sure, credits still count, but the immediate gratification is gone. Instead of poop-socking into the wee hours to get to the next rank, people are choosing to get up and use the toilet and going to bed at a reasonable hour. Hopefully when the cap is finally lifted, people will have found an equilibrium.