yes steemit inc was the creator. but it doesn't mean they should hang on to control or should have any more weight in deciding where to go from here. it's a sad reality that after 2 and a half years this supposed 'decentralized' and 'censorship-resistant' platform still requires a central body/layer/whatever to stay running. if ned never used those words then everything i said would be irrelevant.
i have to disagree with you because steemit inc's survival is no longer important. even if steemit.com and api.steemit.com suddenly disappeared we'd still have other full nodes run by witnesses (or anybody who thinks the cost is worth it?). a lot of people will be confused and there'll be chaos. and i guess prices would drop too. (believe me i wouldn't like it. dan gave me a 100% downvote for saying most people would be locked out if steemit.com disappeared)
but the blockchain will stay and devs would simply switch servers. if steem breaks down due to one company/one man, then it doesn't deserve to stay. but i almost know that wouldn't be the case. or hope.. :)