I always thought Project Development was a place to discuss project ideas or project that are still in development phase. It looks like most topics are there to promote working products and running services which is why I support your suggestion or at least removing the possibility to start self-moderated threads.
Just wondering if there is any valid reason why trust scores are hidden on some boards in first place!
Well apparently some users now prefers posting a thread with their final output than the developing one. Back then it was just bombarded with legitimate users that really are developing a project and requires the forum attention for suggestions and ideas, yet now some scammers are posting their shitty final projects there, which in most cases are newbies. Not justifying all newbies, but scammers really have the time to create an account to post both in Services and Project Dev.
I am IN for the OP's suggestion of making the trust overview visible in the thread. Yet I see no difference with it being implemented and without the trust being showed, as I take a look first on the rank and the 'idea' of the main thread if it was too cliche and scam alike.