You're implying there is something unfair going on with respect to not compensating editors. I absolutely disagree. The model is that anyone can edit, and they do so out of the love of knowledge and common wealth.

One of the strongest aspects of Wikipedia is that authors are not on anyone's payroll. (Though editing can be a competitive endeavor with monied interests occasionally involved).

All the editors of Wikipedia couldn't possibly be compensated, and no one expects that anyway.