Redbadge
Explorer
But this is the equivalent of saying "the perception of failure exists only among those who know the most about the game and care the most about its future. I'm not sure that's any better news!
And I'm not sure it's true. As others have noted, if these conversations are also taking place at FLGS's and around the table, then it's wider spread than you seem to be crediting.
I know all about the game and I really care about it's future. From my perspective, 4e wasn't a failure, far from it. The thing is, even amongst the most devoted, 4e may be controversial and divisive, but that is because there are so many "true" fans that are passionate about the topic on both sides.
And see, anecdotes are tough. I'd expect people that post prolifically on sites like EnWorld to have interest in which direction the game takes, and a lot of influence at their local game store. At the stores I visit in my area (3), I'm pretty much the most influential. I liked and moved to 4e, so everyone did (even some that you might've considered the "elder statemen" most connected to the roots of the hobby). And although I liked Pathfinder, when another vocal person at the store built up the perception that that system was just somebody's extensive houserules for 3e, well, nobody bought it (although I now wonder how David, one of the store owners I know the best, feels about this).