I think it is less about incentivizing good, and more about fostering authenticity. When our motivation is to get upvoted / liked / followed, we do things we think other people will react to in some desirable way.
This is the fundamental problem with "social media". People creating something inauthentic for a payday (literal as on Steemit, or metaphorical on other platforms)
We also live in a society where having more is cherished. Accumulation trumps circulation. Whether we accumulate likes and follows, or zeros in our bank account.
I believe that in reality. People want to create authentically. And want to be acknowledged for their creations. They want to contribute something of value from their true passions and experience.
But when this contribution is not acknowledged, they look at other ways to participate by following someone else's ideas and creations.
The question then is how to encourage and reward authenticity in all forms.
Does this run into problems though with anonymity?
Yeah, consumptive collectors.
I think that the lack of creativity is part of their problem. Everyone drinks from the same well and is encouraged to think the same thoughts. Not a lot of room for creative passion.
My thinking is we shouldn't. Authenticity should be its own reward but, people don't want that burden on their shoulders