Communities really could be the game changer in this regard. There isn't the incentive to support others outside of a community, which is, I think, why people don't made the effort. Why should they when they feel they gain nothing from it? As selfish as it is, communities help each other because they benefit from one another.
Back when there were only a few thousand accounts the whole site would have been a community. Now it's grown and like the big world around us we are less connected, so the cracks are appearing. We can't support everyone and good content writers are getting lost in the masses and giving up. Powering up shows no immediate gain in a world where we're used to instant gratification...
...I think you've inspired me to write down some thoughts...
Yes, I was going to write a post about communities a little later. At the moment it is a catch all with too many people in the glove.