The very simple answer to this question is that quality isnt the metric here. Consistency and volume is .
If you look at your content you will realize the same thing. The additional effort put in does not pay off due to payout ceeling which you have reached. Someone that is as active as you are can reach your level of rewards with hard work dedication, time, etc.
But once they reach that level, no matter how better they might be then you, or anyone else in any regard they will never be able to go past that level.
The inherent limitation of rewards that stems from bots, selfvoting, circle jerks, etc. leads to many people giving up.
Especially folks that are extremely specialized in one department and their work requires setup and post work....Work intensive content fails on @dtube which is why you you have the content creators you have now.
What you are told to watch is determined by 3-4 individuals.Not until ads are introduced will any of that change. When the payouts (+ads) shift to what folks actually enjoy from what a few whales serve them on the Dtube trending page.. @dtube is in that regard much more centralized then Youtube by a huge degree.
Add ads and adjust algo or Dtube has no future.