And if you don't regard the formal guidance

The opening phrase of your first link is: If you want to get good answers.... That not a rule, it is a suggestion. A good one -- well advised and well worth following -- for those that find and read it before posting!

But no way do I read either the text nor the intent of any of those links to mean: Do it! Or we'll beat you over the head with this!

As a matter of fact (and yes, this is highly subjective), it seems to me that as the inclination to provide guidance and correction here (the practice of urging that factual questions reflect some effort on OPs part) has waned, the prevalance of such questions has increased. I suggest a quick scan of older OP's --those, say, in the 400K-600K range (2004-2007) -- and comparison with those in the 900Ks may lead others to a similar conclusion.

And therein lies why it is a bad idea to make presumptions and draw conclusions.

Your conclusion is, the value of the questions has deteriorated.

My (tentative) opinion is , is that maybe this place has become more tolorant; and that has brought a higher proportion of new blood with lower levels of experience.

But enough now. I have my view, you have yours. You'll do what you'll do; and I'll ...