Once there is either accountability or proper distribution, then maybe steem stands a chance.

@taskmaster4450 has been doing a series on how distribution of STEEM to smaller accounts is actually growing, and other such trends. I would recommend giving it a look.

As you say there is very little utility in the design of any app on this blockchain, so why would there be any users?

SteemMonsters is a great example of utility in the design of an app that works here, in the past there have been many others, some that have come and stayed, and others that have petered out. SteepShot, MoonSteem, DrugWars, and Actifit come to mind, among others.

It's just not an attractive system for any kind of organic growth to happen.

I do think organic growth was more common when I started here about a year ago, as many have left since then. This being said, I think that organic growth is still possible and frequent enough to keep me coming back around to check out new people every once in awhile and see what's going on with the movers and shakers.