It’s still dumb, and it’s still just macguffin-ception, but at least this way it’s tied into Rey’s character, even if its clunky.
I believe you meant to say maclunky, Hal. lol
I get that it’s much simpler to understand, and I agree. But that’s exactly the problem I have with it: what 3PO relays from the dagger’s inscription is TOO simple. As in, Rey likely could have figured out how to use the dagger to get to Endor without him telling her.
As a result, it really diminishes his sacrifice and their detour to Kijimi. And it also sucks that you have to remove even more from this film to make the idea work.
Maybe in text form it could work (where we see Rey’s thoughts while holding it), but in film? I kinda doubt it.