It feels like community desire for topline growth above other things (retention) is just masked desire for exit liquidity

Though that’s probably both true and untrue at the same time, conditional on who you're talking to, your definition of exit liquidity, etc. 

In any case, idk if there's any other industry where users have such a level of financial equity or proxy-equity in the products they use alongside proximity to founders/leaders. Makes for new and interesting dynamics.

true, but there are different forms of growth. when growth can occur from pure speculation, it's def a pvp environment. if growth is "real" (let's say, there's actual revenue being generated), then exiting prob shouldn't be so stigmatized