[smsm42]

Well, that's because a lot of people use SO as either "do my homework for me" or "I'm too lazy to RTFM, please read it for me" kind of site. But under the pile of this manure, real content is still there, real people with knowledge still answer real questions. But I admit it has become harder to contribute - even in areas that I have considerable knowledge, most questions aren't either interesting or worth the time, and those that are I'd be missing since I can't keep up with the inflow of low-value questions. I wonder if SO has any ideas how to fix it...

[joe_the_user]

But under the pile of this manure, real content is still there, real people with knowledge still answer real questions.

No, not really, not in a density that makes it worth it from anyone. I mean I looked hard at several points for question answerers as well as attempting to be one. You yourself admit the place broken by the end of your post.

The obvious thing is that good answers that involve effort on the part of the answerer generally don't get you anything like the appropriate Karma.

Even more, SO actually reduced the amount of Karma you could get by asking questions so there's nothing to distinguish good questions from crap questions.

[smsm42]

I don't see it as black and white. I still use it and even answer things from time to time. But I recognize there's a problem.