You said it yourself, all this is hype, and wishful thinking. Pi, in many ways, is an example of how a project can gain so much attention completely absent real value. It is a closed source and centralized network without any real-world use, and people telling you otherwise are either deluded or lying.  The fact that its "value" depends on the size of its user base is an even bigger red flag.  It is true that network effects can generate value, but only if there is an actual network with something valuable to offer.  At the moment, Pi generates a lot of clicks and very little else.  And in the end, you are left holding a bag of broken promises and wasted time.