> Why should I engage with a community that is owned by a for-profit company that treats it as a part of its product and will always prioritise it less than its profits?

To entertain yourself.

Basically, you should do just like the company, which treats you like a disposable resource: treat the network like a disposable resource too. Answering interesting questions is fun? Well, don't refrain: do it and have fun.

Now, you probably shouldn't invest anything emotional here (or any place else on the internet, for that matter), however. Because you'll be bound to experience deception, whether it's right now or in ten years. Company's policy will change, community will change - or *you* will change - and at some point, you most likely won't find what you found fun anymore.

But it isn't really a problem, and there is no reason to avoid participating if you are just doing it for instantaneous benefits you gain from it.

So, enjoy the moment, but just don't expect anything long term, and don't expect anything in return. This way, you won't be disappointed.