I feel like Cosmic Osmo is doing something that would best be kept behind closed doors

That's how doubt works.

1. There's something you know and you experience something which challenges that knowledge.
2. Now you only believe this thing, less sure in your knowledge so you reach out to others who are more knowledgeable on the topic.
3. Post answer your belief has either returned to fact or you've learned something new, abandoned a false belief and grown as a person.

Nothing wrong with reaching out.

If you do it on a skateboard you'll be able to get around faster

I agree with this. There's some problems that need to be addressed. Hopefully sooner rather than later

If its possible to create your own instance and federate with any instance of your choice - are there any apps which include the ability to register your own instance with you as the sole user? Maybe I'm misunderstanding the underlying logic