I think that reflects more about the people that hang out in the social area and the people that are asking technical questions rather than how much technical knowledge is valued. I see the technical areas as core to the site which is why they're right up the top.
I don't think you should expect to be thanked for asking questions. It'd be great if you got the occasional one, or more often but I think if you go in with the expectation that you will get some reward (thanks, rep, magic beans, whatever) out of answering someones question outside of the satisfaction of helping someone then you're gonna have a bad time.