On one hand I understand not wanting to contribute to a commercial content aggregator that you feel doesn't return enough value to its users, but it sounds like

On one hand I understand not wanting to contribute to a commercial content aggregator that you feel doesn't return enough value to its users, but it sounds like you still use it, i.e. the more restrictive API pricing does not discount its value enough for you to discontinue your use of the site. As far as refusing to contribute, I don't see the practical difference between that and refusing to help someone in trouble out in the street. You get even less for your trouble in the latter case, but I'm sure you wouldn't demand some value back for answering a question in real life even to a stranger you'll never meet again. Sure, a middleman is profiting off of your answer here, but getting hung up on the share of value is how so much of the web shifted from free collaborative passion projects to for-profit Patreon paywalls and the like.