The MyBB Humanization Project

[Radiergummi]

Well, from what I can see 1.8 is the same as 1.6 (I am talking about what you see, not what you don't see ).
Let's hope 2.0 will be better and will improve the (new) user experience.

I don't know how 2.0 will be 'better' with an improved new experience.

Apart from AJAX notifications (new reply to a thread, new PM, etc)threaded PM conversations, profile comments, I don't know what else MyBB is missing.

MyBB still needs to remain as forum software. What Brad-T did is great for niche forums that don't need the old forum feel to it, but on the other hand there are thousands of forums out there that need the older 'look and feel' to them.

If you don't like the way MyBB looks, design a theme yourself like Brad-T did It's fun and very rewarding.

Well I think a forum software which is actively developed does not need to look like 1999, especially codewise: Currently, MyBB is mostly made of tables. What we need is a complete revamp of all templates to use HTML5, CSS3 and SVG icons. That's what I am currently wasting my time with, but it is indeed rewarding - my Google ranking rose in unknown heights, the whole thing is responsive, I need only a few lines of CSS for each page due to reuseable components, users are way happier... 
That my point of view. I also think MyBB needs to remain a forum, but with modern, modular and responsive code design. From there on, anyone can produce a theme suiting their needs.

Next up on my wishlist would be a default use of URL rewriting to provide a RESTful API, but I think you'd need better paid professionals for that, and as the team seemingly is not interested in people applying, they don't even reply to questions on how to participate