Upvoted this one at 100% because I feel it deserves it :)
Do you have Nextflix? If so, you would probably really enjoy an episode of "black mirror" called "nosedive". I think it does a good job highlighting some similar issues to what you have with Steemit, as well as gives a good example of someone going off on the system and being 'voted down' by those in power. If you check it out, let me know what you think :)