It is discouraging for content creators like myself to see, as you call it, utterly shit posts on the trending page making hundreds of dollars. I've suffered from "Steemit Depression" in the past, where I don't even feel like posting. I've grown stronger since then.
I can't even begin to imagine how newcomers to this platform feel...
I have learned that when you start to feel this way because high-earning shitty posts, you can balance your feelings by looking for the good posts that have been rewarded. Especially those who you have witnessed working very hard for a while. To see them finally getting what they deserve can be truly inspiring, and even motivational.