Players not looking for idols/giving up?

In one of Mary's exit interviews, she said no one was really looking for an idol and she definitely was not. Her explanation was that "It was a collective unspoken agreeme t/ part of the shared culture."

???

What is going ON on that island? I have been enjoying Joe a lot this season, but...is it me, or does he have a bit of that "Cult leader" effect on the rest of the tribe? He's the oldest man around and although we don't see him build/cut things/tend the fire must post merge, we did see him be the fire guy on previous episodes.

It seems a lot of the floaters sort of gave up, and got stuck in the mud? Charity said she blanked and forgot SITD was even an option on her vote out. Star oddly did not think it "the right time" to play it because "Joe had her back." (Even if Shauin told her to her face he was voting her out that night!)

Mary admitedly checked out during her final immunity challenge and sort of gave up altogether.

What is going on with this collective PARALYSIS that is suffocating people's fire to PLAY?

They are walking on eggshells out there. There has to be an idol or advantage in that jungle....no?