I believe this blockchain can survive without Ned and Steemit Inc. The CEO has not managed properly his company and to rely on selling your Steem to pay salaries and maintain infrastructure is not the way to go.

We can create an independent foundation or a consortium of DAPPS that push ideas and innovation. Every member and developers can work and contribute, and receive a reward in Steem. Then push this stuff on the next hard fork and every witness to approve or not.