there is that element there too, but because we have an inflationary currency, it is possible to do it with content alone. Let's not forget there are dolphins at the moment (with the current inflation rates) and whales (with past inflation rates) that have made their stake by adding work to the platform.
Now, it's the long path... it's certainly taken me for example a long time to become a dolphin, but I'm trying to take the longterm approach... now I could be completely wrong about it, can't say I know I'm not..