> The whole crowdfunding space seems to operate pretty illogically.

It's logical to me. I won't be happy if I'm charged upfront, and the project is only half funded. There won't be any incentive to back a project early on, and there will be more unsuccessful projects.

It seems that Indiegogo now also has the "Kickstarter way" of backing as an option. And I'm seeing more and more projects use that.