Homogenization and Job Identity - Are they mutually exclusive?

[Neela]

Let me preface this thread with a series of related questions stemming from the primary inquiry:
1) Why do you play your class?
2) Is it because the gameplay (or flow, etc.) appeals to you?
3) Would you continue to play that class even if it wasn't the "top dps"?
4) Would you continue to play that class if its gameplay lacked fluidity?

1) Because Summons in FF series always catched me so I started FF14 without any knowledge of the cls interpretation for this mmo. I liked the lore and the story elements around the cls and my first carbuncle as well. Now years later it might be melancholy staying with smn through all the good (hw) and bad (aar) times - looking for their/our place in stormblood after the hype and trouble settled down a bit.

2) in opposite of the majority I think less dots and more egi-related skills (at least the idea behind enkindle cd reduce, ruination and devotion) feel way more summoner than before. (im not saying that the skills and mechanics are great yet but they go in the right direction for me) - although Bahamuts mechanic feels more like a summonerfinisher than just deathflare in the end as well but maybe thats just the visual-impression.

3) never was interested in being top tier all day long. I played the noob smn in aar and the aoe king in hw - dps and rankings are no argument for me to chose a cls I'd like to play. never was, never will be. that being said im deep into Brd/Sch/Whm as well - all cls have their criticism and again I don't care that criticism if I like the overall-cls design and lore.

4) Never give up trying... there is always a way to improve, some are easier some are harder and need more effort but just giving up on something which is different than before without even trying isnt an option. haven't changed a cls or cls-liking cause of adjustments yet. and honestly I don't think I will change main or even sub cls based on question 3 & 4.