@liberosist posted what I think is an amazing solution.
ELI5 Version: You power up your vote by voting on other people. Then, if you want, you can use the big power vote for yourself. But at least you had to engage other posts on the platform to get there. (if I'm understanding his post correctly)
New system in link below:
when i first joined steemit over a year ago, i spent a lot of time commenting and engaging with others. I did have a great advantage, though, because i was a writer.....i had a lot of material to post. But I got my reputation from this massive engagement with others. Without that, i would not be where i am today. this is a maturity issue, more than anything else.