Here’s my take for what it’s worth 
Characters in boundless are so limited that it makes it impossible to appreciate the extent of the game. The work done on character development and progression is simply the addition of Alternate Characters. The result - to fully appreciate Boundless, you MUST create lots of characters each limited to experience a single aspect of gameplay.
Why should players committed to, and supportive of Boundless, be seemingly punished by having to start again at the beginning? The only answer is - they shouldn’t. This so called “exploit” allows those who enjoy Boundless some respite over the game imposed punishment.
If character development and progression isn’t implemented in a lasting and satisfying way, players will continue to try their hardest to find in-game solutions to the myriad problems created.
If symptoms (like rock to stone xp) of the bigger issue (alternate characters rather than lasting character progression) are given credence and allowed to be treated as actual issues in themselves, then the game will be degraded over time without ever addressing the underlying illness.
Everyone forced to create alternative characters simply to appreciate the fullness of the game.
Everyone who plays long enough to have characters at level 50.
Everyone who experiences that “game-over” feeling at level 50.
In short - pretty much the entire player base.
Just my 2c