Like you, I've been here for many years and have seen it all, although, in reality, what you mention in your post has been there almost from the beginning. It's not easy to accept, but we must do so to avoid frustration.
I think we should start thinking of HIVE as what it is: a social blockchain ecosystem that has no ambition to grow economically, but rather to be sustainable and permanent over time. A very resilient niche that also offers optimal conditions for everyone to develop or grow. It's up to us to use its potential for one thing or another, but we shouldn't expect this ecosystem to become the "norm" worldwide, as it doesn't offer a "get rich quick" scheme, and that's what the masses are attracted to, unfortunately.