OP: your post was well written and I agree with most of your points.

I want to reply to a few of the comments made in other's posts, or common viewpoints that will pop up in this thread eventually.

One - if you don't like the game, why are you still here?

Multiple reasons which may be different per person:
- friends in game
- time invested
- subscription time left
- FF fan
- no other MMO they're interested in at the moment

There are reasons we are still playing. We're not saying the game is a horrible, unplayable mess, it has some good points, but we want to see it get better.

That's a key point, we want to see it get better. That's why everyone gives suggestions and feedback. If you don't agree with the OP and/or don't want to get into a 'subjective argument' then when you've read what you're going to read out of the OP, just leave the thread, please.

"You can't compare this game with one that's been out for x number of years"

Yes, yes we can. When the comparison has to do with core mechanics and overall design philosophy. You can compare any game to another no matter how long they've been online when you're comparing CORE fundamentals of the game and not just amount of content available.

Most of the threads similar to this one are not necessarily comparing the amount of content, but the fundamental structure and design philosophy of the game.

"That's your opinion"

Yes, of course it is. Most of the threads here are someone's opinion, and everyone has differing opinions. Discounting a thread you disagree with as someone's opinion is like saying bacon is worthless because it's only your opinion that it's good.