The EXP Curve

Hmm..

Mozart played the piano. He was amazing when he did it as a 6 year old, but when he played the same piece 18 years later, noone really "cared". Why is that? Because playing that song at the age of 24 wasn't as amazing as playing it at the age of 6.

That's what I'm trying to say. The achievement hasn't diminished, you're correct in that. However, if someone asks you what level you were at MapleStory or something like that, and you say 192 one year ago, people would go "Wow man, that's really amazing! Holyyyy crap". Nowadays, they'll not say that. They'll be like "oh, okay. That's pretty decent, isn't it?". That's what I meant. The value of being 192 has gone from high to zero, null, nada, nix.

Nevertheless, people above 190 do care about their ranks and the admiration they get from noobies. Why would the else go through leveling?

It's not like they're going HNNNNNNNNGGGG AHHH THEY DON'T APPRECIATE ME ANYMORE, I pineappleING FAIL MAN, that's quite the insane if you're doing that. However, you notice that your achie- hmm, level is worth nothing now, and it does affect you.

Again, this is completely narcissistic and believing everyone feels this way is very wrong! Not everyone cares. Everyone has their own reasons to do what they do, and it's not always about attention or admiration. It could be to prove to themselves that they could. It could be to finish what they started. It could be to get the mount! I know I was completely driven to 70 by the idea of getting my hog mount. Not everyone cares what else other people think of what they do or how they do it. Proof of this is in the astounding number of leechers in game currently, they just want to be there, to play with the skills, whatever it is.

And even more-so, if everyone else is catching up to your hard work because the game is universally easier, then I would see that as a reason to work harder to stay ahead rather than get discouraged, if being ahead is what matters to you.

 Spoiler

(Though this is also debatable. Is a non-loving parent that never encourages you giving you a more profound feeling than a random noob who encourages you, but now just ignore you and don't know who you are? But let's strike that one out, I getcha.)

I'm not sure what you're trying to prove with this but I would say absolutely it is. If you have a dickhead dad who tells you you're worthless every day looks at something you've done and says "wow, this is really good. This is great... I've never been more proud." That is something that would stay with you forever.

edit: wait, maybe I read your spoiler quote wrong. I have no idea what you're trying to say at all.