"What's the best advice to avoid the majority of the publishers who don't publish but whine about their lot in life?"
It is very easy and actually built-in within the system of things. There are clear directives how to be afraid for those that are weaker in spirit, how you can consider them as marked and dangerous for your own spiritual welfare. It is just activating the shunning-mode and treat them like they were dead.
This shouldn't be problem at all.
CP