Outsider's view re: contributions - more granular approach needed?

Firstly, I think that this argument only supports the need for a better process. The only way to really find out if spontaneous collaboration works is to apply it to a problem that is suitable (such as a stub article, specifically, with proper guidance, etc.), get some data, and see what can be improved. Secondly, if there were to be no spontaneous collaboration, there would be no Wikipedia. Since Wikipedia does exist, some degree of collaboration did occur. How efficient was it - probably not superbly... but that's why it needs to be improved. It is a valid concern, no more, no less.

Besides, the spontaneous collaboration issue is just a part of the problem. In my opinion, the solution lies in establishing the framework that supports granularity, flexibility and careful refinement. Then, start addressing this smaller issue from within something that is moving in the right direction, as opposed to presenting the spontaneous collaboration as a "show stopper". That's not helpful. I can come up with 100 arguments as to why Wikipedia will never work. Heck, even if it is a show stopper - figure out a way to make it less of a show stopper and move forward from there. This is not going with the "gospel" - I am not suggesting ignorance, rather the opposite: take the problem into consideration, build a process that helps to isolate and study it. Do that while achieving the main goal, which is to grow Wikipedia, not to resolve the collaboration issue, although that may happen too.