Fair comments Aggy.
I think things need to start at the top, or they just won't start.
Collecting a group of whales together can't be so hard can it? If this can happen, 'we' can manage each other (there are plenty of us analysing the Blockchain and shaking our heads) top down - as you state, it's pointless minnows flagging large accounts.
There was vote selling prior to linear rewards as well. It was just a lot more hidden in back channels than it was out in the open.
True, but the bot efficiency was not matched, and obvious cases were highlighted - hi glitterfart and mindhunter.
Steemit should put some of their "non-voting" stake towards abuse. They've done that some already, but more is better.
See @paulag's recent work. @mackbot and @spaminator are kicking ass, but they won't touch the accounts doing the worst damage.
It is up to us.