I think perhaps this is a bit reductionist? I'm nitpitcking especially on this bit:

Also, once someone has a permanent account, there is no longer a business case for caring about their concerns, because they are no longer a source of funding. They are an expense, from a financial standpoint.

Except that if you think outside a model where each customer only interacts with the seller, and appreciate DW as a far more complex system, as well as part of a larger whole, the online community generally: people with seed accounts, for whom DW is 'home', who are posting regularly and interacting on and off the site, are a base on which DW can grow. People with DW loyalty who are creating content and building community bring in new account holders, gift paid account time to help people get started, and keep the site rolling and active. All this is necessary, necessary stuff; users of this kind are an asset.

Failing to care about those with seed accounts wouldn't have zero consequences; on the contrary, creating large amounts of converted (in the wrong direction) would be a significant liability to the site, both in terms of them withdrawing their content and contributions, and in terms of potential for them spreading their dissatisfaction elsewhere.

I'm pretty sure DW staff are already on board with all of this!