The current interest is very unattractive, too. The "3 month lock in" period is still bad PR and reeks of "scam" to ignorant traders.
The "3 months lock in" period also takes away a lot of the utility of steem power. Most users don't want to lock their money for so long. Some users may want to curate only for a week and then do something else with their money but they can't because their money is automatically locked for 3 months. Removing steem power is a no brainer to me.
I see what your getting at. I feel like we have to accommodate 2 mindsets. The people who would absolutely need their money right away, And other people who can wait.
I personally am okay waiting for 3 months. I see why people on the outside see it as a scam though. Maybe we can find a way to satisfy both parties.
Why would people want their money be locked in for 3 months? There is no benefits in that, like OP said 1.5% per year certainely do not warrant wanting to lock your money for 3 months.