You don't take into account the different time zones that people play in, it seems. All the endless denying has done so far is split up when people play, so no wonder there's barely any pvp going on anymore. It is neither of the three possibilities you mentioned, it is the fourth: be smarter about it.
I did take in consideration time zones but that is more of a faction coordination/leadership thing.
We coordinate with Iron head and they speak Mandarin with a big time zone difference.
How many times has East or West that exiled East asked for "time changes" to various events so more people can show?
East players splitting up when they play to get content is smart.
If no East leadership plan on improving beyond a halcy zerg type play style then i dont see a problem with that.
If East ever wants to grow beyond the occasional "Halcy Champs" then unite your faction. No HCIC and no IHG to blame for dividing so what is the problem?
So if East stay up late or get up early to do content , daily's, ect... then i guess you are not really being denied anything but is a preference of when you want the content.
I am being smart about it : The old argument, "if we keep doing
this or
that people will stop playing" has been said many times over. Those same people quit or stop playing anyway majority of the time. They also rarely seek to improve or teach/help others. Those type of players tend to be selfish and fail to grasp the "team" concept.
I hope that this will make East stronger not weaker.
If people stop playing then fine because they were going to anyway at the slightest sign of adversity.
The key is to have fun even with odds against you and find like minded people. There is still fun to be had is a losing situation and tbh can make for some epic moments.
Laugh more and cry less... EZ