Alright, if the curator spends time writing a comment, that helps.
Yes, user engagement is so important and something that's sorely lacking throughout most of Steemit. Community is built around fluid communication not by reading static pages and especially not by clicking on an upvote button without taking the time to even open the post.
Some of my oldest supporters have me on auto, which I appreciate, because they appreciate my work and want to support me.
I've got you on auto-vote, myself. I believe I've been auto-voting you for about 2 weeks now (at 100%) and will likely continue to do so for many months (years?) to come. I really enjoy your stuff, but I must admit that I mostly treat curating like playing the stock market -- "performers" stay in the portfolio...and it kind of pains me to say that because I want to keep supporting the people whom I appreciate and respect, but, I don't know, I guess my greed weighs heavy on me.
I suppose you can't be a top curator without playing along with these type of games, though.
I don't know what to say anymore
Silence speaks the loudest ;)
...and, suddenly, it seems that I've hijacked this post with the most brutal nesting that's ever been accomplished in all of Steemit's history. As unlikely as it may seem, this was not intentional and I apologize for it... I mean this honestly.
If I'm a performer, I view my curators as investors. I require these investors so I can perform consistently. I like the fact that I'm giving back by producing content...and at the same time, I like to give votes in return. Many who follow get a follow back, so that's who I'm seeing, that's who I'm voting for. You take your piece of the pie, I get it back when I vote. This all seems so damn fair to me. People working together towards a common goal and everyone wins, slowly, but surely.
I started out at the bottom like anyone else starting today. I didn't invest my money, only my time. This mountain isn't that steep, one just needs the proper climbing gear. If you don't have the right tools for the job, it's going to be harder and that's life.
Many of the people who vote for me, majority, they vote because they like my stuff. It's not about rewards but I'm damn happy they get them. That's where I stand on this whole thing. Everyone needs to put their heads together and find ways to fix the abuse, not allow the abusers to ruin it for everyone else.
Peace!