The OP is now 6 months old (based on player feedback and my own experiences from the previous months).
The memorial is now 5 months old.
Every major problem with the crafting system, that has existed 6+ months ago, is still there after Update#12.
The only thing that i had to update in the OP, was the change from perks being randomly rolled to being deterministically selected (the random rerolling should have never made it into the game in the first place).
The system is bad. It has been in place for more than half a year (around 9 months), and for the entire duration of its existence, it has been the opposite of what was advertised.
Hundreds or thousands of players have given their feedback.
Despite mountains of feedback, nothing has been done to fix the issues.
The crafting system still is the polar opposite of what was advertised.
The only thing that might change regarding player feedback on the crafting system, is the amount/frequency.
Because after nothing has been done for so long, many of those who care(d) simply gave up talking to a brick wall and left.
Imagine a company that produces physical goods, working in the same way:
Making a faulty product that is the polar opposite of what was advertised, and not fixing the issues for such a long time.
Despite the issues being obvious, having a simple solution, and having been pointed out by many customers.
Frankly, this is ridiculous.