The difference here is that the red 'badges' are part of the post content rather than the surrounding architecture. They are supposed to be in your face, visual magnets which will have more purposes over time.
My issue was that the architecture was getting in the way of the experience. It's very much a personal thing.
I've been considering different colours for the badges based on light and dark modes so might play with that at some point but I have some other ideas for the site before I get to that. Thanks for the observation.
Colin Walker