@Kosmos992k

I agree with alot of your points. I have no anger or malice either.
Maybe SE needs to the reduce the tome grind?
Maybe gear should last for 2 or 3 patches?

I feel like if Dungeons rewarded full clears, and etc players would welcome the "sprawling" labyrinth dungeons so many claim to yearn for.

I just dislike speed runs I feel. I enjoy group gameplay but I dislike spamming AOEs.
I feel like maybe trash mobs need to be more Morbol like.
Something where we once again need to be careful.
I admit the idea to ilvl sync players that was mentioned seemed like a good start.
Folks want challenge but not enough challenge to "slow" them down.
But honestly why are we rushing? To afk in town?

As for our Bonus Topic:
I too feel my friend is the proper definition of elitist. But he thinks he is not. He states that grouping with a casual/solo player like me for the occassional roulette versus doing them with his FC/Raid group as a reason why he isn't Elitist.
Yet he turns around and tells me I don't play any real content.
Gold Saucer, Dungeons, Hardmodes, Beastmen, Hunts, don't count. Only "real endgame" such as Ex Primals & Raids do.