I think there are basically four main reasons why volunteers and mods continue to do what they do. In order of importance(to me):
1. They love the site and enjoy making it a better place for all.
2. They continue to support the site, in varying degrees of enthusiasm, due to sad attachment.
3. Free Premium
4. They like the feeling of superiority(imaginary or not), driving them surprisingly well.
The hard fact of the current state of CC by general consensus is that all of these reasons could be dashed in a relatively short amount of time. Therefore it seems that those in a position to really pull a power play on lack(mods) could band together to stop what could ultimately mean an end to their modships.
What I am suggesting is that the mods and volunteers go on strike!
While memberships may be dwindling, the rate is slow enough that lack doesn't even give a bland sidelong glance to the site. If all the mods were to strike at once, and I mean a complete and total dropping of all responsibilities, imagine the chaos... I should think that many, many members would downgrade their accounts. Now a drop in premiums like that might just get lack to spit his gourmet coffee onto his screen. Worst case scenario he sells the site and someone who actually cares takes the helm.
Unfortunately, I think that things have to get worse before they get better.
So mods, its all up to you, don't let us down.
