Well, the list is still a distraction from the real work an architect can do, which is bring projects together and build foundations for successful projects.
I would not see it so restrictive. The “real EA’s work” is not inside the Ethereum community only. They also act as an interface to corporate world, because that is what corps are looking for (read the post from @apitkevich). EAs help to adopt the technology by corps and collect requirements from them. It makes sense and win-win for all.
As I stated in Forming a Ring of EA post, the Architect role is aimed to be “financially self-sufficient”. Corps are ready to pay for the architect knowledge and it is how the EAs can earn some money. IMHO, it is important to give people a possibility to earn money with their skills.
The reality is you can claim to be in the REA. Anyone can. If someone is impressed with that and hires you,
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Why manage a list of everyone’s resumes, when everyone can just manage their own resumes?
What you are describing is an example of some bad implementation. Let us find the better one.
What I have mentioned, there is a valid demand: сorps will find people, and people would like to be found.
Cooperation between REA and industry is important for both sides. I see the “List” as an interface between them.