Is anyone else bothered by the lack of incentive for mediocre players to improve?

[Merlinian]

There are people who simply do not play MMO's for the heavy handed side of pushing themselves. It isn't a "Sadly" moment either. Not everyone is interested in end game, they play for the relaxation and sometimes, they do reach end-game but that doesn't change their outlook.

I agree, this is one thing in FF XIV i noticed, there are people who played for three months quite regularly and still their highest level is 37. I guess there are many people that are not the usual MMO min-maxers. I think this is the main problem for the OP, that there are too many people that do not share your goals and/or dedication but do not seem to be to concerned to join your groups.

I am guilty of that too, I yelled a an archer yesterday in low level roulette for Copperbell regular, the slime boss, STOP SHOOTING THE BOMB. Still took him/her/it three more times till stopping. An MMO vet would have not donenit again after being told.