Unlike other mainstream platforms, the Steem community can either wait for Steemit.com to bring about the changes we want or we can make those changes on our own. I personally don't have the skills to create a new UI, but I could support those types of projects.
I do appreciate your point that we self-monitor as a community - especially in regards to plagiarism. We have a vested interest in making sure that we grow strong as individuals and as a community. We have a vested in interest in making sure that our culture moving forward is strong and worth reproducing.