I seem to recall a certain bellyrub bank preaching 40% return on investment, you may want to take the 40% number you used, (even if accurate), and change it to something else. (for psychologically insecurity reason associated with that term 40% ROI). People may not believe it even if it is true, and see it as just nothing more than another bellyrubbank type scam.
Now then a question...Would not a post declining payout, then voted at 100% by 7 of the biggest whale have the same effect? It is my understanding that declined payouts if any votes are received are burned up, like a high level dustvote.
Declined payouts are not burned, they are left in the pool and then distributed among other posts (and comments).
Thank you I have been trying to find out what happens to the declined payout funds, you are the first to enlighten me about it. There are just so many small parts of the "code" that is not known or understood by the general population of steemit., so I do appreciate you taking time to let me know. I just figured it would be like the dust votes - poof all burned up.
Dust votes are also kept in the pool (and therefore reallocated to other posts/comments) I believe, but I'm not 100% sure.
Then on that I was misinformed, Tim Cliff implied or stated that they were burned up, not returned.