Honestly the sign up process is a big big bug that needs to be fixed.
I've been promoting steemit to new users and potential investors and most of them are already stuck in signing up and getting approved.

Also on the witness part. I've always wondered why a creative and wonderful/problem solving witness like you I've never made it to the top 50s only to find out it is because of some inconsistency and what I'll call favouritism going on behind the curtains. I'm not happy about that.

The problems you outlined out here are very major and shouldn't be ignored if @ned and @dan values the reputation of steemit and the chances of attracting potential steem investors.