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Ok, that's deep.
If I also want to throw in a simple, yet fancy theory on the community at large, it'd be this: We traded genuine, social interactions for efficiency.
Exposition edit!
Examples:
FFXI community compared to FFXIV community
PS1 community compared to PS2 community
Communities from years ago compared to communities today.
It seems the amount of time people have to play the game--RP, PvP, PvE, w/e--is dwindling. Rather than waste time by taking risks, they take the path of least resistance that yields the highest benefit at the lowest cost. That cost includes taking the time to form connections and be social; something you have to spend energy on and dedicate time to.
There are scientific disciplines (e.g. industrial engineering) dedicated to optimization in systems of all kinds. It is both a blessing and a curse; one seen in theorycrafting and communities alike.