Regarding the effects of HBD on the inflation rate: although in theory it can go either way...
Yes, I'm sure that's true. Unfortunately, it's a natural consequence of the coin going down more often than going up.
Thinking about it, the tendency of HBD conversion to create inflation rather that reduce it is probably exacerbated by the other components of inflation in the system, which tend to drive the individual token price down. Even though holders themselves are compensated for that inflation via rewards paid out by it, this inflation still affects conversion rate of HBD.
I am not trying to be hostile but you have to admit that the title is somewhat clickbaitty.
It wasn't meant to be. I was just looking for a short title that accurately described the mechanism proposed. To indicate that removed curation reward would be burnt, rather than redistributed.