"By their very intended nature, are a personal thing."

Disagree. They certainly can be, but I don't think it's "intended" (intended by who?). Themes can be whatever someone wants them to be. It's all good.

I think you're over estimating how many people who download Litestep themes can actually create their own, quality themes. And while I can, and do, create and use only my own themes, I know it doesn't limit how much I enjoy someone else's theme. Just because I'm not using it, I do like to see what someone else has done as far as design goes, and how they make things tick.

I believe we all can learn from each other at some level or another, so releasing themes is good for themers and end-users who aren't themers. And like I implied earlier, I believe there are a lot of Litestep users who aren't themers and don't necessarily want to be.