Exactly @donkeyong, communities are being overlooked and they are the building block of the platform. Do we want growth on the platrform? Yes! but then imagine reviewing the curation formula to 50/50, that is basically taking away more from an author who already earns less simply because you enjoyed his content enough to even vote.
This is like building a house from the roof first when there is need for the foundation (communities) to be built first.
I admit the roadmap shows steemit has progress in mind but the communities should be a priority like you said.