Hi Meno, You were one of the first I interacted with on Steemit when I had just joined in October last year (you were offering a guitar as prize for a music contest). Your enthusiasm participated in getting me invested into the platform (thx for that, a random interaction has had a great effect on a random stranger :-) ).
After 4-5 months, I kind of try to take some perspective on this online adventure. In my eyes, Steemit is a huge sociological experiment: putting money in the game shows the human heart. There is so much kindness and talent, and also so much uglyness and basic instincts... yin and yang, that's what it is.
Does Money corrupt the human heart and dignity? It does, but at what level? imho, Steemit is a quite a good indicactor of the answer.
As for the upvote issue, I've built up some SP over my time on Steemit, and I will admit that I do upvote myself on some comments, but allways at the ratio of what I believe I am bringing to the discussion. sometimes 0%, sometimes full, depending on what I sense I brought in quality or ideas (it's subjectively of course, it cannot be otherwise).
There is a fundamental rule I make a point to follow though: I do not treat myself better than others. When the words of another Steemian speak to me, lightens a new interesting view (even if disagree), clarifies something etc... , I will vote him or her the same way I would do with myself.
Be well
I think that is a balance way to approach it Muphy, without a doubt... I and of course as you obviously have seen with your own to eyes, your growth has had a direct correlation to the quality of your social interactions and not so much on focusing on voting power and SP as the dominant aspect of the day.
You are one of the good ones Muph.. I've seen you make your rounds on the whale dramas, trying to bring some balance to the table... you are one of the good guys!
:)