I started this season after not playing Destiny 2 for almost four months. I had 29 cores. I've used just enough to get myself in the 695-700 range so I could complete pretty much any activity comfortably, with maybe an exception to the new raid. The invitation quest that dropped gear at 690 was extremely helpful. I currently sit at 19 cores. I do agree with you though. The only people who don't care about the cores being used for infusion are the ones who can no life the game.