The "trust us, just create good quality content, and we'll recognize it" line is true. If you write genuinely good content (ie: others think it is good, not just you) then you will do better. Yes, they are using these tricks now, but eventually the cream will rise to the top. Just keep plugging away at great content and you will eventually build traffic. Don't play their game. Google will eventually start swinging the ban hammer and you don't want to be in their sights when they do.