Good bump, thank you.
I think it’s a very mixed bag.
There are undoubtedly many people who learn more than they otherwise would, thanks to the popularity of Daf Yomi.
There are also many people who learn less than they otherwise would, both in quality and in quantity, due to the fact that they “do the daf.”
I doubt that DY today looks anything like what RMS (or whoever, I’m not getting involved in that argument) envisioned.
I do think that the commercialization of DY (and all of its spinoffs) is, on net, a detriment to the society of Bnei Torah.
We have converted a notionally beautiful concept into a vehicle for promoting hedonism and self-interest.
It seems to me that The Siyum© is a most egregious example of using the Torah as a kardom lachpor bo.
Sure, anyone can appeal to authority to shut me down, but I challenge anyone who would like to have a real discussion to disagree on the merits instead.