I think any idea that requires a hard fork (even if it's only one line of code) should be avoided (unless it's the only way to reach the wanted result.)
As I can see it, there are many ways to improve steemit situation that can be done on the front-end (like steemit.com/busy.org... etc) they won't solve the big problems but they can make steemit more attractive to new comers, sadly no one bothered to implement them yet.
To be fair yours is the first one I see about sign-up process, before I forget Good Thinking."