A few other notes.
1. I don't think the point of design and color and a rich visual culture is just to be "not boring" and "erratic" and look at me! I'm so random! It's closer to why we appreciate public art installations, beautiful architecture, well-designed parks. So on. If we spend a large chunk of our lives online -- whether or not that is good, is a separate discussion -- then I believe we should care a great deal about how that space is presented. Whether we feel it's inhabited by other people, instead of mega-corps -- is important. Imagine if the real world became just a super-sized mega-mall.
2. We absolutely /should/ focus on the list of concerns you mentioned. I don't think it's either/or though (I'm happy to hear arguments for why they're mutually exclusive). I am, as part of mmm.page, working on a few things that will help people create private spaces just for their friends.
Let me know if that addresses your concerns.