The New Sage Icon, Thoughts?

[Fland]

addressing things this trivial in nature will shift peoples expectations.

If SE wants to create the impression that they'll shift gears at any indication that anyone's sensibilities aren't being accommodated, then that's what people will start expecting of them.

You are severely overestimating the implication of this tiny, insignificant change.
People's expectation won't change. The majority of players is not even aware of this change.
And SE definitely are not trying to create any sort of new impression.