You're correct and I agree with what you said here.
This blockchain has been destroyed in steps. HF21 is one of the biggest steps.
They are chasing away the last of the real content-creators, saying "this is an experiment for investors and programmers only". They claim this is about "onboarding the public" (fancy term for gaining members) but it's not, it's about protecting the insiders and their profits from the rest of us.