You were warned several times that this would be the result of your conduct in moderating this site.
You and your ilk have caused the "quagmire of mediocrity". You have supported the dunces and obstructed the few who are really informed on this subject.
Now you have a zoo full of monkeys, and you wonder how the level of discourse can be elevated. It cannot. You have a zoo full of monkeys. A corrosive environment to every right thinking person, populated by those who know zero.
As for suggestions. There are ways you and your site could be helped. It is ironic that you are now capable of recognising mediocrity. Your failure to recognise excellence is the problem. The staff and moderators are directly responsible for alienating all those who are in a position to help. Your conduct has disqualified you collectively from receiving any effective assistance.
This is not a community, it is a billboard. The downward spiral will continue and it will have a serious impact on the advertising revenue. I predict further that the staff will institute several silly policies in an attempt to correct this situation. Their efforts will fail.
SOCRATES warned you about this years ago, and once again he is correct.