Chasing big accounts in the hope that they will be upvoted... It's like begging for a vote and doing whatever is needed to get there...
I know a guy who once said a certain account never rolls with smaller accounts, and it was only recently that it dawned one me. That person was only following people he felt were in his level. On Hive, the chaste or class distinction is a phenomenon, and that's why it's quite difficult to follow big accounts with the hope that they'll curate you in return, it just won't happen in most cases.
You didn't go off topic, infact you were on-topic. It's mostly about interest and there's no shame in choosing to grow with those who you find common grounds with.
There's no fast way to get it done. It's better organically. Class wants to row with class. I see some of those accounts doing all that with big accounts and it has earned them scrutiny and downvotes which might not be fair, but it's just how it is and they can only learn.
Finally, we can not stop downvote abuse, until maybe there are some brilliant idea that ends up being implemented, for now, I think people should just do the best to avoid confrontation and those shady things.