The thing is, Ariel is in charge of the mechanics of who gets boosting rights, but not how they apply them. I think boosting editors will - consciously or subconsciously - favour FOMs and snub non-FOMs. Because it's in their interests to attract and retain a coterie of FOMs at their pubs, as pubs tend to benefit from a mutual support circle, so everyone (including the editors themselves) get more valuable FOM reads.

Also, having the badge subconsciously implies more established Medium status, which in turn suggests, 'this FOM is more likely to have their nommed piece approved, which nets me $45'.

Basic psychology suggests that it will influence nomming, even if the curatorial team are instructed to be agnostic.