I like what you say here.
Together with another user of Hive we are planning to start a small curation trail aimed to support real quality posts on topics that are currently almost not covered at all.
We have in mind also some forms to increase onboarding, reaching outer writers that may be interested in coming here for specific topics having a dedicated "watch-eye".
And I see your point on the type of posts and length. Much has been consolidated as personal relationships or else overruling the relevance and quality of the content.
So I am 100% on your side thinking that a wiser distribution of the voting should be found, to enhance quality (but underrated) writers AND supporting also new writers to stimulate them and encourage.