There are many, like you, from the millennial generation that saw early on, or figured it out, thanks to parents or someone else or just through observing that 'participating' was not the same as winning, succeeding, excelling or even putting forth an effort. I think that's great. It's necessary that each generation break through whatever societal norms the progressive powers want to foist upon us.
This is why I have a hard time when it shows up here, where I'm trying to escape all of that and more.
It's why I avoid things like vote bots, or subscription bots or auto votes or circle votes or whatever class of voting combination exists.
It's why I don't like the idea behind steem basic income, though I understand it. It's why I don't put busy in my tags when I use the platform. It's why I'm not sending $0.001 SBD to those with high SP asking for delegation or help in some way.
It's why I don't typically enter contests, though I have been participating in a couple.
All that said, visibility is an issue and probably always will be, but it's remedy can be found by participating in some way on the platform, interacting in the comments and on discord and where ever Steemit users gather.
I commend you for your integrity (even if you don't need me to), and I thank you for this post.