Of course there is. However, as Bitcoin Classic may illustrate, it is possible to leave the core developers working on a defunct chain. Core developers represe

Of course there is. However, as Bitcoin Classic may illustrate, it is possible to leave the core developers working on a defunct chain. Core developers represent a double-edged sword. They are critical for getting the network adopted, and for adapting the network to new demands, but they can also be a risk due to their influence. By all accounts, the Ethereum core developers have been open and responsive. Not all Ethereum devs wanted this fork. I do think they could be faulted for not strongly advising Slock.it to cap The DAO. That may be one reason why they were amenable to a refund solution. You definitely should consider the core devs when investing time and money in a blockchain. They have an inertia that influences the system.