FAI Badges
The badges can be a bit silly I suppose, but they do give some definite objectives to shoot for, which should improve the standard of your flying, and prevent boredom from setting in.
To some extent, badges are an objective, verified international test of piloting skill; although a diamond badge earned by someone flying an LS8 in Nevada is, of course, not as impressive as a gold badge earned by a K8 pilot in England. Also, it has to be said that there are many excellent pilots out there who have never bothered with badge hunting.
One thing I do believe is beyond doubt is that for 99% of soaring pilots, badge hunting is a personal challenge, and there are very few attempts to show off. Really, nobody cares what badges anyone else may have.
P.S. Neil Armstrong earned C badge #4309 (SSA) in 1966. Charles Lindbergh held C badge #10 (SSA), which he earned in 1930.