My opinion has always been that I like what the Module::Build folks are trying to do, but I hate their attitude. The example that I point to of that is their trying to push people
away from using the simple compatibility layer because they want to guarantee that people hear of Module::Build. It seems to escape their attention that they are guaranteeing that people will first hear of Module::Build by being pissed off, and this isn't a very good thing.
That they would make other major social mistakes does not surprise me, although I have no idea how accurate the substance of your claims are about this one.