Thanks for bringing this up. I agree with you regarding the beautiful original design of Steem and I agree that SBD is a payment/survival tool which is protecting the network in hard times and also against direct manipulation.

Limited supply of SBD makes it difficult to use it as a stable coin for payments. Maybe the network should be allowed not only to burn, but also create SBD during the exchange process.

And as far as the main subject of your message is concerned - spot on. Maybe SMTs can solve some of our problems.