For large software houses to rehash your ideas first you have to see some degree of success, they won't bet on an unproven idea. Once you do have success, copycats will be inevitable anyway. So for me I am more concerned about whether my experimental designs can gain traction in the first place. (they don't)
As for the lack of feedback, maybe I am being extremely naive, but I don't think we are a community of direct competitors. There are so many different games, as a consumer I get my hands on every game that catches my eye if it falls under the $15 price range. I really only make hard choices between AAA titles. I would rather have a community that I can fall back on, that reciprocates the support I give them. But maybe this is too idealistic.