I wasn't around for the @blocktrades stuff. Blocktrades is someone I've supported as a witness for a very long time and I use his services regularly even though there alternatives. It just works. He also continues to engage with the community and support it. I am 100% certain we might not be where we are in terms of success at all without him.
POB has a lot of people from all over the place due to people getting really interested in how valuable it's token became.
People tag all kinds of posts POB.
As to people getting carried away in POB. If I see it or notice it you can be assured I won't be afraid to speak up about it, even if it is people I consider friends.
We all make mistakes. The important thing is that we learn from them rather than repeat them.