The HF was a clusterfuck but, it was still necessary in my opinion and will prove so in the next year or so I predict. It changes the way the accounts are able to be created and brought in which should hopefully 'almost by default' improve the experience and process as well as set clearer usage guidelines.
I am also not personally concerned about not sticking to the whitepaper (never read it) as the market itself has changed and when it was written, it couldn't foresee what the community would demand or how it would treat the platform. Adding the earning mechanism automatically changes the way people behave so it can't be compared to other social platforms. Adding that mechanism into a faceless, open, unconstrained community makes prediction worse, especially for people who might not be the most socially adept of animals.
I am definitely looking forward to meeting some of these people in person but as expected, a lot will be missing also. Public spaces are not where some people like to show their faces.
I still find this is the most fun game in town, largely because of the uncertainty about the future. I would be more concerned if things weren't in a bit of turmoil at this point because it would mean that they are 'sure' of a future they can't know. Blinded by confidence.