There is a real difference between pursuing quality and being unproductively persnickety. One doesn't require the other. Take your example of SO, the issue be

There is a real difference between pursuing quality and being unproductively persnickety. One doesn't require the other. Take your example of SO, the issue became so bad in 2013 they had to revamp the way moderation worked. They wouldn't have done that if it were just a bunch of people wanting to lower quality.