Read this whole thread.
I will begin by saying that being fairly (if not greatly) mediocre myself, I can agree. I was actually JUST thinking this the other day. I am miffed. I figure it's the kind of thing where just because someone maybe once as great, doesn't matter if they still are. People will always follow because they always have. I liken this type of thing to musical artists who used to be the best thing on the radio, and now could churn out any old vinyl turd and everyone will still think it's great just because they put it out.
Don't think we can ever change this. Sad too. I visit people pages a lot more than I do the streams, and I see some of the best memes that never even get more than a smattering of views and a shred of an up vote. People who end up leaving because they feel like they are tossing their creativity into a void. I have felt slighted on a few occasions when what I felt to be my best work was edged out by some recycled, reposted, reused drone of a meme.
There. I said it. Might be sorry later. Then again maybe I won't.