You presume that "the original answers" were given by "people knowledgeable about the subjects." I doubt that presumption is valid. The internet is full Of BS, beginning to end.
perhaps you are extending your subjective experience onto everybody else; that is, you answer at first, but tune out later, but that would be just a little conceited would it not?
In my experience, useful replies are just as consistently available as are useless replies. And so are search nazis.
A "use the search function" reply, with nothing more, is less useful than an oft-repeated question.
How about this then?
1. Many original questions were answered by people such as Harper7, SoCalTrail, Antman (who did many of the mods first THEN answered the questions) and a host of others. Personally, especially on more complex questions relating to physics like lug nut torque breakage, winch pulling, tow hook strength, etc, I spent hours doing calculations to answer specific original questions. Others, such as TitanPat, Bimrunner, PhillyD2 and Ducmonsta did extremely detailed build threads complete with write ups and illustrations.
Do people do that now? No. Why? Because they spent the time originally to document all this crap so future people in need of this information could simply search and find everything they need to know. The answers to most questions are out there.
Here's the deal: The new guys who have the knowledge to answer the noob questions have already searched because that's how they got their knowledge. That, and previous experiences. You see, they were smart enough to SEARCH to get their information! Some guys come on here now and don't even know there is a sticky with FAQ's that will answer just about everything from suspension to removing interior trim panels.
Now, I'm an engineer. I don't "presume" very much of anything. If I don't know something I research it. The guys I listed above? I talk to them on the phone, I text with some of them. I know what their job in the real world is and I definitely know their experience. I would not have listed them if I didn't do my due diligence bro.
You know, maybe these guys would answer more questions if we didn't have to deal with BS posts like this. The internet is full of wrong answers. This is one place that filters most of them out. You have been here less than a month... take some time, do some research (search) and next year you can then come back and tell me I am wrong. Until then you are just another butthurt noob with a fantasy opinion steeped in nothing but speculation. Have a great day.