I deal with Steem the way I deal with rest of the universe...I try to ignore the unpleasant stuff. Since my years of formal work are behind me, I can afford that luxury.
For me, Steem is an opportunity that can be exploited by the same bad actors who exploit everything...but it is still an opportunity. Caveat Emptor--go in with your eyes open, risk nothing unless you can afford to lose it, and have fun on the ride. Maybe it will take you somewhere, and maybe it won't.
The only applications I use are Steemit and SteemSTEM.io. I'm having fun on both. I meet great people. I'm learning, exploring, expanding my horizons. At my age...that's a great thing.
Will I make money--not likely. But still, I may invest another couple of hundred. Who knows? There may be a future in this thing called Steem.
I wholly agree with your approach to this.