I see what you mean, I haven't been here very long so my opinion is probably isn't as informed as yours. I also haven't put much time into finding users and tags that I like to follow, and usually just browse on Global, so maybe that's why this place feels a little empty to me.
I would encourage you to follow users and tags because I do think it can enhance the experience, but unlike Reddit, it's only going to be an enhancement instead of potentially a totally different view. (I have subscribed to so many subreddits and un-subbed from others that my front page is nothing like the regular Reddit front page. I even missed a lot of the Ellen Pao hullaballoo.) I like to browse global as well to see what I have missed. Chatter is fun and useful if you are looking for conversations, you can see what others are chiming in on.