I understand the reasoning behind constraining resources on the blockchain since blockchains have to store so much information, but some have taken this measure to prevent uncontrollable growth as a positive when it really is a net neutral activity at best for the ordinary blockchain novice.

Like you mention, this scarcity is a good thing IF you deliver a product that people actually want to use. I don't think any application on the blockchain has really gotten to that point yet. I would love to see one that changes my mind, but so far a large majority of services lack mass-market appeal and I'm not seeing how constraining your resources is really going to appeal to folks that at the moment have 0 STEEM.