Well, I'm gonna be the one to say it:

If you're not a hardcore player, does it really matter where you are on the progression ladder relative to others? I can understand if you're fighting to be #1 in your server, but other than that... I care much more about the content I have before me to do (in my case, Ramuh Ex and shiva later. SCoB is still a distant dream cuz ppl don't make T6 learning parties anymore, and if you try to make one, no one joins, or join only to disband after a couple of wipes) than the pace other people are progressing.

I even think it's GOOD that casuals can keep up with me and gear up fast. That means more ppl around who'd like a T6 learning group.