RE: The individual pain of building a community
I would think trying to build middle class community instead of individuals
The communities would need to be built around significant amounts of SP to do it fast enough rather than organically and slowly creating the community as some users build and others sell. In some way, high SP users are kind of like tiny apps as they attract more users to them. if they then support their interest areas, those they attract create a niche community.
I agree, there are many drug users here looking for the next high. it is a losing game.
Your point of the community is valid and that is why not everyone would be able to be targeted for growth as many are just not community minded. Some however are already building communities on shoestrings. give them some rope and they can pull a lot more.