Maybe the way Nostr can get more people is by making it a good choice for semi-closed hyperlocal mini-social-networks, like a low-effort impromptu social network for a neighborhood, a church, a school...
at present Nostr socials feels too centralised, and far from the objectives of relays you started out with. But others like MDK + Marmot like white Noise and Bitchat make great application usages.