And it's not the same task but very similar.
Well, at the risk of us repeating ourselves over and over again: I still very much disagree with this. I will however many times we repeat it.

And it's not the same task but very similar.
* To keep people busy. Busy people don't complainSimple question: why?
* To keep people busy. Busy people don't complain
* To test out new stuff
* To create buzz
Eh. My group played through the playtest packet. We took the surveys. There really isn't more we can do. So it's not that we are losing interest. Once a new packet comes out we will test that out. Until then we will play 4e.
The purpose of the playtest package is not to keep people busy. Nor is it to create buzz. It is to gather quality feedback data on specific points.
So, although I think your statement is mostly correct, at the same time it's not. Whether intended or not, the playtest is now an aspect of the next editions marketing and buzz machine. And that's something that can't be ignored.
So whether the playtest was intended as a marketing tool or not, it now is one. And purposely ignoring that aspect is foolish.