Certainly a very well thought out and valid perspective, @lydon.sipe.
I'll briefly offer a third perspective... why I generally don't self-upvote... for very selfish reasons. I sort of commented on this on a recent and somewhat similar post by @joseph.
I vote based on my personal objective... which is that I really like Steemit, what it stands for and it's potential as a model for a sort of "gift economy." As such, I would like to see Steemit thrive and grow in the long run; which means 5, 7, 10 years, for me. Next week? Next month? Not that important.
So, what maximizes the value of Steemit, and by extension the Steem token, in the long run? Well, I'm guessing an "attractive and thriving community" which would lead more people to want to join... as a result of there being more "economic activity" here, as a result of which the Steem token would look attractive to investors, in turn driving up the price of Steem. So I gain.
Conversely, a situation centered around self-upvoting, and posting minimal comments to also self-upvote... what sort of impression does that send to the greater world? The world from which we draw growth, in the form of what I'll call "the next marginal user." To me, as a content creator... I'd look at that and think "what a pile of garbage... I'm not going to hang my reputation on that!" and pass on by.
Now, that may not mean very much... but the long term risk is that if we allow "minimal content" to supplant "quality content" we endanger long term growth. And sure... "the blockchain will never go away," but what good is that, if we are sitting here with 1/2c Steem... because people look at the coin... and the community that "represents" it and perceive it not as "thriving," but as "yet another shitcoin."
Again... that's just one person's opinion! An opinion-- mind you-- rooted on 20+ years as a content creator.
Appreciate your encouragement @denmarkguy. It is nice to hear ones content described as well thought out.
What I hear you saying, and correct me if I misinterpreted, is that we ought to be creating content that increases the value of the community. The value of Steem goes up for everyone and the rising tide benefits each of us if we are not seeking our own gain but the good of all by supporting quality content over minimal content.
I sought to say that with the concept of people only tooting their own horn. While I do self-upvote, it is minimal, there is too much valuable content that needs recognition in order for us to continue to grow exponentially and attract new buyers for the coin.
The short-term thinkers will be weeded out. But we risk losing the long-term players if we punish everyone by negating the freedom of self-upvoting.