Finally got up enough confidence to post some clips of my technique.
Any advice will be appreciated: I'm here to learn so be as critical as you like :)

Clip 1 Basic picking and my attempt at scalpel picking. Am I on the right track or am I way off?

looks like something went tits up with clip 5. Dunno what happened but 'll fix it up later :)

I thought they all looked pretty good, but I am a complete novice and possibly the worst student on the forum, so my praise is sincere without any knowledge to back it up.

I would also add that when I can play scales that easily I will feel like I've accomplished something

Yeah, Ivan, you're really doing well with those. Your fingerpicking is inspiring and I'm seriously envious. I absolutely suck at that other than a couple of songs I've practiced hundreds of times each.

Your pinky finger doesn't look strange to me at all. It seems like you are rocking your left hand back and forth to reach all the notes so that could be compensation for the 4th finger. I read in another thread that you're not worried that much about speed so I wouldn't worry that much about it. That movement will slow you down, though.

I personally have a problem with my fourth finger popping out farther at higher speeds. I don't know if I'm trying to hammer it on with more force and therefore lifting it higher, or what. Spiders, trills, and finger permutations are probably the way to go to eliminate that.