The biggest problem with Monero is that it's being lead by people with zero business sense.
If it were a business your opinion on the matter of our "business sense" might count for something, but it isn't and it isn't trying to be one either. You might reconsider your statement in light of that. I have a pretty good idea you have no clue what you are talking about.
It may not be a literal business, but it's a competitive environment that is similar to running a business. Evan is using his experience with finance and investing to not only create an anonymous payment solution, but to create it in a way that most benefits investors. You guys have this false notion that people care about emission schedules. You have very idealistic notions, and that will hurt Monero in the long run. The world is not ideal, and no one will use Monero just because it's the fairest coin.
Evan understands this, and the instamine actually allowed him to fund development, while you guys have to beg for donations because of your stupid ideals. It's a shame, as I will freely admit that Cryptonote is a more elegant solution than Darksend.
It all depends on the time frame. The focus of the Monero project is to build solid fundamentals and yes this does take time and it is done at the expense of short term results. The "official" GUI is behind a whole list of items designed to build those fundamentals. Darkcoin is the exact opposite the focus is to deliver results now even at the expense of creating a very shaky foundation. Spork is the perfect example of the need to deliver results now.
Long term Monero is the winner, short term the victory belongs to Darkcoin/Dash. I am in this for the long term so I am betting on Monero.