Thank you! We also noticed the initial progression should be much faster after watching brimstonewalker's stream yesterday. Because of the slow progress, he got the impression that there wasn't much content in the game yet. In the next update, we'll make the initial technologies much easier to unlock and will keep the grind for mid- and late-game technologies.
New colonists can find you after you build the Beacon (requires Beacon technology: Workshop > Torch Pole > Beacon). There are other survivors scattered across the Dark after the crash. They've managed to survive on their own, but most are in pretty bad shape. The Beacon helps them find your camp (inspired by Frostpunk's beacon).
Your suggestion makes sense. We can add an option to reorder the job list.
Thanks again! We're trying to add new content and make balance adjustments every week or two.
ps. Never heard about the Cultures, will look into it.