I'm also waiting for the "follow" button to work as well so I can check out specific artists that I enjoy. I think the concept of diversification will take a little time but it'll come. We just need content creators plowing the way for the rest of the world.
I totally agree though I don't even use the recommended section at the moment. I still to hot and new. I'd like to see a few different sections like mentioned below, I'd love one where it's all people or pages or what ever that I enjoy following personally, and then one where it shows me a general timeline of various topics depending on the one I've selected to view.
These discussions are good though they truly do help shape the future of steemit.