Like many decentralized systems, it's not actually decentralized but can have the appearance of such.

All these systems have "whales" such that the individual can't do much except align with a whale. Applies to more than just crypto, too.

The internet is this way. The reality is more about peering agreements and CDNs than a neutral decentralized computer network. But it is still decentralized, just primarily among a few big players.

Yeah, but people hear "decentralized" and think "I can do whatever I want" - not the reality of what it actually is and how it works.

Very large ETH miner here. It is less challenging than you think. I'm not saying it is easy, but it is definitely doable with the right team of people.

Why is it necessary to break even? Ordinary users can mine on their home hardware and make a return on their existing hardware before it depreciates.