I like the criticism!
I would take it one step further than working on the front-end first. I would prefer they work on the protocol level first. I see way too many flaws in this experiment on the blockchain level to allow any more beta testers (although to be fair, it's more like an alpha, right?). STEEM is the first of it's kind, getting to mass adoption too soon could end in a catastrophe. Would be a shame to waste so much potential!
I don't know if the SBD peg is broken, maybe the introduction of promoted posts has changed everything? But i'm no expert on the subject at all.
What do you think are the most important problems at the protocol level currently?
The most crucial ones:
Early adopters problem: