You make some good points @socalguy you are spot on the user experience is not enough where it stands. Although I believe in a minimum viable product. This is a tricky area to attempt it. Because it is well and truely behind competitors that have been in this space for a very long time.

If the funds aren't coming in for authors and the minnows so to speak are leaving. You aren't left with much.

I raised the point above. Would have the people here be contributing to the platform if there wasn't some kind of hope in making rewards....probably not. Once this hope dies down and these people aren't reward. They will drop off.

The drop off rate will outweigh the influx of users. Because, the reality is ....everyone who drops off will tell people "oh yeah don't waste your time with it - you can't make any money" thats the effect that will soon begin to happen. If something doesn't change or if it's not advanced more quickly to be competitive and to be more inclusive of the general poster