1. I don't think they're trying to act smart in any way. First of all Yuki, you're right, for all we know, they could be absolute idiots, but how do I know any better about you? As far as I know, you could just be trying to sound smart by throwing constant insults at gaia and me, for all you know, I might be trying to sound smart by naming myself after a smart person and acting some-wat blank, we don't really know now do we? Smart or non-smart, you just have to guess.
2.With that particular hat, they did in fact make money off of it by selling the infinity hat, a grab bag item that would give away one of those items. I can't really say if it's wrong to make profit off of internet "memes" or popular characters, but I dont think they just put it up there. They ask people first, I think. I'll have to ask them. I'll get back to you on that in a little while.