This is a great post and you bring up some really great points. I've always thought that Hive needs a front end that uses engagement algorithms similar to those used by other socials. Though we started off with a focus on content, I think the other socials have more or less proven that interactions and connections are more important to consumers people.

I think front end reliance on inflation to fund their projects is a detriment here. I get excited whenever I see a hive-based product offering ads because that shows me that they have an incentive to increase their own user base. I'm not saying that inflation based platforms are an overall negative (they're not), but being reliant on inflation creates different incentives which are less likely to yield greater user retention and engagement IMO.