As you point out this is an interface issue not a blockchain issue. People have issue with the ranking system which uses post rewards which do not reflect quality. You don't have to change the blockchain to fix that; just the way the interface rank quality. The irony is that people come here to escape the dreaded quality algorithm of FB and IG but then are upset when they see another ranking system. I don't think quality is dead; it is just living in the sub communities here on the platform and this will become more the case when the communities features roll out.
There are people working hard on alternative interfaces like steempeak.com who are doing a great job at improving the user experience. I could never go back to steemit.com I am happy for steemit inc to focus on HF and implementing things like the SMTs as that is the long term future for the blockchain . They are not graphic design interface experts. The steemit.com interface was just there to demonstrate the possibilities; there is nothing stopping people creating their own unique interfaces with their own ranking of posts by unique quality algorithms. I hope you proceed with Gleeming; it sounds like a good initiative. If you need any photos for it let me know ;-)