the world of cryptocoins has become rampant with FUD campaigns, puppet accounts and all sort of dirty tricks. It is sad that people want to operate that way instead of focusing on building the best technology and products, but there is nothing we can do about it, except minimize the disruption they cause. Fortunately most of their efforts are pretty transparent and ineffective (see comments a page or two back on this thread, or better yet don't).
I think you're doing a fantastic job at mitigating the effect. The recent spike in November and December with BTC has brought on a plethora of new people who are trying to find their place in this community now that initial expectations are not quite matching up with reality. I would imagine that many have left, but the few that remain are still settling amongst the turbulent landscape.
I'm one of them. But instead, what I've found in spite of the initial expectations is something that I can now call a hobby. A vested personal interest rather than a simple business decision, something to expand my horizons. I've come to see that people like you, and a few others like you, are people I feel comfortable listening to .. people that I can take direction and learn from. Thanks for keeping us pointed in the right direction.