posts with low readership are disregarded, despite whether 100% of the few people who did read it thought it was a quality piece. Currently 'successful' posts are not a true reflection of quality, and the current system makes it extremely difficult for anyone else to rise up.

Agree there is no economic nor recognition incentive to form communities, rather only to cater to the groupthink.

I read your post yesterday and actually wrote a post with a possible solution.

Post views can be attacked. A vote which costs nothing can also be attacked. Those are non-solutions.

I think I have a solution which involves not voting, but I am not quite ready yet to present it, as I am still analysing it.