I've seen several projects now all launching with 'masternodes'
Maybe what we need to do at this early point is start a Node Trust Alliance - possibly a Decentralized Node Alliance or DNA

We don't all need to be working and struggling in our little silos on the same code to run the nodes. We can work on the same code to run our networks, but build different applications for our projects and then we can all run PR through the Alliance; kick-out scam coins; promote best practice; etc.
No fees, just a code of professionalism.
DNA
Lets make it so, Nr.1
Are you suggesting a non coin bound project that is open to anyone while the final say when it comes to merging submitted changes has a
non profit foundation?
The idea seems too idyllic, too utopian.

Common good is seldom experienced in crypto at least not as often as it used to be.
"....consensus", yes.
Foundation? They hardly ever work. Just a code of ethics to not scam or your project is not recognized and therefore not taken seriously by investors.
Gentlemen's agreement was tried, but it didn't work.
The average total coins generated across the network per day stays the same. Faster machines just get a larger share than slower machines. If everyone bought faster machines, they wouldn't get more coins than before.
We should have a gentleman's agreement to postpone the GPU arms race as long as we can for the good of the network. It's much easer to get new users up to speed if they don't have to worry about GPU drivers and compatibility. It's nice how anyone with just a CPU can compete fairly equally right now.
Maybe try again and see how it goes. There is no arms race as such on a DNA.