What I'm interested in hearing is 1) the degree to which you accept or reject these premises, and 2) how do you address these premises or alter your setting to get around them. No judgment here: I like most of the underlying premises of Traveller, and part of the fun is thinking about how to work with them to solve problems. But if these aren't fun for you, I imagine they aren't fun for some others. Hearing how you address these issues is probably useful for others.
I accept all the premises and consequences except #5, Little to No Standardization.
For 7, I think any interstellar government would impose standardization at the levels where it operates. It would impose standardization requirements on all starship manufacturers, and manufacturers of equipment that intend their products to be used by populations on various worlds. Manufacturers and markets on different worlds would want gear to be interoperable, and compatible gear would be more commercially competitive. The largest manufacturers would dominate, and smaller manufacturers would do well to make their products compatible. Economies of scale would push this forward. Planetary economies would have their own locally made goods, but expensive finished products that are made by only a few manufacturers would be standardized. Probably every world in an interstellar polity would have the same standards of weights and measures. As for phones and internet, such things are only invented in a few places. People who live on a world would buy the local version, but people who travel would probably have devices which can accept compatibility chips or something. If such devices didn't exist, they'd get invented so government, military, and interstellar business people could function more easily. Devices can be built in many places, but they are usually only invented in a few places. Another issue is markets. Manufacturers would build for the largest market, and smaller markets would have to accept what manufacturers make.
For consequence #4, space travel is uncomfortable and most never do it, I agree that most never do it, but I also think it doesn't have to be particularly uncomfortable, especially at higher TLs. It all depends on the economics of it. If enough passengers are traveling a particular route, ships with dedicated passenger facilities would be built. If space travel sucks, ships are going to improve it to compete with their rivals. If someone is hitching a ride on a tramp freighter, or booking steerage class on the bulk ore carrier Nostromo, yes it's going to be uncomfortable, but no more uncomfortable than the conditions the crew normally experiences. People adapt and make things easier on themselves. Space will be at a premium, so if someone wants a single occupancy stateroom, it's going to be expensive enough to make up for the other fares the ship could've collected by cramming more people in there. Some small ships could have a party atmosphere once they enter jump. The crew would have to keep their wits about them to do maintenance and keep essential services going, but everyone else could drink and dance every night, play party games, and do whatever. It could be like this because of crew efforts to make time in jump more enjoyable, and it could be a draw for passengers.
I make the setting fit the premises.
