It would be even cooler if we had a message system here on Steemit (Yes, I know, busy.org has one... but I'm on Steemit, right now)
The fact that there is still no messaging on steemit blows my mind.
The REASON so many accounts end up dead as a result of referrals is that rewards are given simply for getting someone to sign up
If steem implement a referral system users would earn a certain percentage of referred users's rewards indefinetely.
It would be very difficult to give a reward per sign up without the system being gamed and abused. Centralized websites can do it because of KYC.
Well, I wouldn't want people to get a referral reward simply for signing people up... as you say, that would open up the system for being gamed and abused-- seen it happen lots of time. Mostly, I just want to be able to track people who sign up... so I can connect with them, and encourage them... which brings us back to the messaging system... MUCH needed.
Then implement a referral system without rewards. See my other comments to this post why I do not believe in indefinate referrals. It'll create pyramids of split earnings and I can tell you, some will be very focused on this and in the end will sit back, do nothing on Steemit and take quite a bit of earnings. I think Steemit should not provide such changes, Steemit will grow even with a rewarded referral feature.