It's also a completely different comparison. Speaking from experience, it's a lot easier to make leaps of progress on a new project than a mature project because the jumps seem larger in relative terms (plus, less code is easier code).
Scawen does still get into kicks where he releases several patches in a short period of time. Just because it isn't stuff that pertains to you, doesn't mean that progress doesn't get made.
As for Eric, he's always seemed to be shy. I don't think made many posts back in RSC, and has only made 1 (public) post here to basically clear the air (partially) because there was a group that were obsessed at how enigmatic Eric is.