Once a mixer gets their hands on them and adds in other sounds you'd be surprised.

Good artists copy, great artists steal...Watched the interviews with Francis Ford Coppola on the Godfather collection bluray and he reiterated that same sentiment. Also sounds like you have a superiority complex because you never had to work in a video store and you probably could afford to go to film school. Lucky you.

Is it a director's (or a film's) duty to inspire people to be better though? Every artist ( painter, composer, poet, writer, director) has their own motivations and inspirations when they create, and I dont agree that they should be required to consider social responsibility to create happy, feel-good art...More than a handful of people find his films entertaining. I personally don't love everything he does, but he is talented and he is successful. As such, it makes him a source of inspiration; what he has to offer is valid to a community of people inspiring to achieve even a fraction of what he has, whether you're a fan of his work or not.

For a beginner, placing a lav is always an issue...you're bound to get clothing or cable noise that will ruin your audio...If you're filming yourself then sure, a lav is better due to it staying in place as you move around, but you have to be extra careful with placement or it will sound terrible. Get a small-diaphragm hypercardioid mic (Avantone CK-1 with hypercardioid capsule : $150) ...a battery operated phantom power supply (Rolls PB224 : $75) and a boompole with internal XLR cabling ($150 : Auray ABP-35B) and you've spent less than $400 for way better quality audio...Have the mic about 2 feet away from your mouth...above your head, pointing towards your mouth at a downward angle...or below (pointing up) if you're trying to avoid picking up sounds of the stove/ cutting board/ etc...This requires someone to hold the boom for you though.

he did mention social media and web videos...A solid performing camera with XLR audio and ND's, with some good lenses, will cover most duties...Furthermore the OP specifically asked for equipment suggestions...so whats the issue?

get a GH4 and a Speedbooster to use your Nikon glass. Get a Rode Link wireless mic system...Get Aputure LED lights...roughly 5K right there. With whats left you can buy a gimbal and a proper audio recorder and a second wireless mic kit.