I can't explain the dropout rate. Like Mystery said, we still have everyone over at Zed's. I like Zed, but I doubt if "he" is the reason we are still there. I have enjoyed reading through all the training day threads, and think I would have been happy in any of them.
In my case, I came close to dropping just because of heavy real-life commitments, but the rather slow pace of the game has allowed me to stick with it. (Although it is easier to lose interest in a slow-paced game.)