If this is really not your first MMO...

Then you must have been really blind in those other ones. The point of gearing going up is a sign of progression. Of course gear eventually becomes worthless. That's not going to go away. Do you get upset on a new character when you pick up an upgrade from you starting gear? It means your starting gear is pointless. Maybe starting gear should then be equal to the top end gear? Why not everything be equal to it at this point?