Obviously your not new or returning if you can craft experts and buy masters. Most likely you and I did had last xpacs ancients until we got better.
You are correct that this celebration event isn't required for the group content but it sure does help someone new or returning get up to speed. So why should 1/2 the classes get more of a resolve boost than others has been the question I had ever since they added a bow and not a ranged item for all. It really sucked talking to people that decided to give up on the game again.
My example you quoted was to point out how difficult and frustrating it is for these people and many that would have continued to play have left the game. Give it a try and see how far you get.
As far as my gear, I have the time to spend and my raid toon has the resolve for T3 raids. So ya, I put in the time.
I am the guild leader for a small guild that helps out new and returning people. Instead of silently watching people get frustrated and leave, I decided to relay one thing that is easily corrected that has enraged a lot of people.
Most people don't bother posting or doing feedback, they just get fed up and leave.
Maybe I am the odd duck. I don't hold the opinion that I got mine you can get yours too. I'm I have mine and lets help you get yours too.
Every xpac, people come back and like what they see and each year Darkpaw does something like this and they leave again. It would be awesome to see more people around able to group.