In my view this is the same sort of elitism that plagues most successful open source projects after a while. While I would understand the need for consistent high quality content while barring the noise it interferes with the transition of mid-level skilled WordPress developers as they try to transition into very skilled WordPress developers. A balance has to be maintained between controlling noise and being open. The very fact that admins have been taking a while to react simply means they will take time to approve.

The fallacy here is that, as implied by the vote, the admins are the only experts in the WordPress world! While the group was open before a member could post a question and an expert who was not a admin could make their contributions on the matter. Now people will be posting at the pleasure of the admins and what they deem advanced.

It seems to me after Brexit and Trump we might be having a WordPress first cult after all ;)