I agree it is a bit harsh to throw CCP in the mix, but they have kind of earned it in their own way. They make mistakes, as we all do. However, they seem to fail at learning anything at all from those mistakes and avoid even viewing them as mistakes. That kind of action leaves one unable to learn and grow from the experience that could have been gained.

I will also agree with you that the concept of the CSM was excellent. In practice though, it has been nothing short of meta-gaming for large alliances and celebrity figures. In the end it adds an additional layer of destruction to the game itself. When one group can exploit the design to their own ends, it creates a devastating imbalance in game-play and design. Thus we have the blue doughnut (real or perceived) and the stagnation problem.

EVE players as a whole are the greatest barrier to game growth. The game itself, even with all it's flaws isn't bad and you really can do a fair amount of stuff as a new player.

People blame the NPE for failing to retain people, but that's a crutch. most NPEs are terrible and people use other sources to learn. In EVE, YouTube is your friend. The NPE is garbage, but certainly not a huge issue since it can be easily circumvented in a number of ways.

The fact is that, overall (because there are good people that play, just not enough of them), EVE players HATE new people. The players are extremely abusive and go out of their way to prevent any enjoyment of the game for new people. This topic has been discussed at great length in multiple venues so it certainly isn't a new concept. The problem is it doesn't change. EVE players are proud of this fact and consider it as advertising for how hard-core they think they are. People don't see it that way though. All they see are gankers and griefers, and they are correct to do so.

It doesn't change because the current players treat it as their right to do so. They say they're "helping" by forcing players into set group structures and trying to prevent other styles of game-play because they don't think people should do that.

Corporations and alliances are no better.

Truly, the greatest barrier to EVE's growth are the players themselves.