I assumed there is more development activity now than ever before, but that lots of it is just occurring via non-public channels.
Not possible-- of course it's always possible for people to talk in private but things have to be made public to have an effect.
I don't think it's good but I don't think it's particularly bad either. There are a lot of improvements that would be useful, but at the same time Bitcoin works okay without them, and it's better things not be done than done poorly or thoughtlessly.