he challenge with much of this is some of the top witnesses provide a lot of value in hours and hours of very high level discussion regarding game theory, economics, code changes, strategies, etc which is really valuable to STEEM and yet much of that happens behind the scenes. Those who know about it vote accordingly. Those who don't, think they are providing no value other than block production.

This, I am one of those who does not know what is being discussed between the top witnesses. I definitely appreciate what you guys are doing behind the scene. No doubt it. but "Woking behind the scene" can also mislead how the people think the witnesses do. I really hope that the discussion results are published immediately to the public. For this, top 20 witnesses should post summary of the discussion in rota probably.

Top 20 witnesses should think themselves as public figures. Never forget that they are paid around $24000 a month now. As you suggested, the pre-scheduled regular meeting with the read-only audiences should be a really great idea. I will fully support it!

Again, witnesses like you, who try to keep the communication channel open, are really important for DPOS. To be utterly honest, a lot of Steemians worry about the unprofessionalism amongst the witnesses. They just do not dare (have power) to make their voice. Actually BP's of EOS worry me. They are incredibly professional and absolutely transparent, and that fact dwarves the witnesses of Steem as we look very amateur compared to them. But we can initiate the positive change if the top 20 witnesses change their mind.

Sorry if I am being too pessimistic. This is coming out from my enthusiasm for Steem, but please just take this as a constructive criticism.