The inexperience of new users also can play a part, especially when they see articles that many would consider to be junk getting high payouts. This just encourages them to put out as much junk as they can as quick as they can.
Also, there are a lot of rules within this community and ways things work that they may be unaware of, plus things are always changing.
Without new people joining, the community will never grow. I'm glad that many of us are considering how to make things better for all, and I appreciate the suggestions that you've made.