@rauschma I’m a low to normal tech user but I also have more patience than many people when it comes to things not working right away.
I waited two months to get approved to the first instance I picked (which I’m still on) while I was still on the bird app in 2022. Many people don’t like to wait.

I knew at least one person who was using Mastodon and who was happy to help me if I had any questions (I did not, but I’m also the kind of person who reads through instructions manuals and checks every settings menu).

I didn’t have a big or busy social media account before coming here so interacting with the same 5 people would’ve been at least as good as before (it turns out I have a LOT more interactions in the Fediverse than I ever did on the bird app). I enjoy the intimacy here but some people use social media differently.

I don’t seek followers and don’t follow pop culture that closely so the only thing I miss from other places was journalists and the women’s sports community (which I developed a bit here but the sports journalists still aren’t here).

I love having different apps to choose from. A lot more customization options.
First thing I missed in terms of UI was the lack of quote-boost but some apps offer that option already.
The other is how threads don’t link up together (which they didn’t originally on Twitter) but, again, some apps offer a slightly better threading look where at least two posts show up together on my timeline.
As you mentioned the way comments/replies show up (or don’t show up) is a bit of a mess but I’ve adapted. Not everyone is as ok with change once they’ve had a taste of something that looks and feels good. Maybe it’s my age. I wasn’t introduced to social media until I was in my 20s. I’ve been through the 1990s era of internet. Younger folks probably expect a more seamless experience.

I’m not surprised Mastodon specifically is a turn-off for many people. The pace of interaction is much slower, more artsy and a lot more techie (I have to mute a lot of tech stuff that I never even heard about before coming here).
I’m not sure the improved UI stuff will be enough to appeal to those who seek a particular culture of social media.