I have to agree with this statement. I think to attract human visitors, you should have a website that will attract those visitors. Then just point them to your directory. Easier said than done though.
Yes I agree too, but how to do that? People always want to use the SEs for information, we need to change that
Just copy what AOL did. Make a start page that shows news headlines, weather, etc. Allow users to sign up and choose a bunch of topics that interest them. Use their own selections to pick websites and categories of interest from your directory to show on their start page. Market your categories using search keywords just like AOL did. For example, put an ad in a motorsport magazine that reads "Motorsport websites: Use keyword 'motorsport' at http://whateveryoururlis.com." Have the keyword list sites from that category of your directory. People then use your directory like a search engine and it's very easy to promote individual categories.