Sorry I've been so busy I missed this comment.
Think I'm exaggerating? I've been playing this gig for 20 years... same story, new venue.
I really don't think you are exaggerating.
Some spam is innocent/inadvertent... initiated by some who are simply on a "monkey see, monkey do" quest... and can be redirected to productivity.
These are the users I wish I had more time for.
So then we run into our second philosophical conundrum: Code vs. community.
Code purists drive me up the wall. If I found a code flaw that allowed me to blow up the world, is it an acceptable thing to do? I actually asked one purist that and their answer was - Yes but no one will ever create a program with unsecured access to allow it. Doh! There is a reason it is called a flaw...
Sadkitten is only as effective as the parameters humans feed her.
Sadly this is true. Now that we have dealt with the large scale bot net scammers hunting down small groups and individuals using the data has been challenging and time consuming. I haven't fed @sadkitten in a week or so.
Spam? Well, we can create loose descriptions of "undesirable content" and those interested in saving Steemit from meltdown can form their opinions from there.
The problem I have is how to explain to the community the difference between what I perceive as 'undesirable content' and abuse. Often I'll find users reporting good content just because someone used a copyrighted photo with or without the source. When that photo adds little value to the post and the contributor isn't trying to make us believe that the image is their own work I don't see it as 'abuse'. It may be 'undesirable content' but the intent isn't there to abuse or deceive.
Some "freedom purists" will argue it is, and that anything we do has to be done at the code level.
My favorite argument: There are no rules on steemit! So you can't flag me for plagiarism!