Not sure if you've kept up with the drama that has transpired over the past 24 hours at the highest levels of Steemit, but it's disconcerting to say the least, and echoes the concerns that you and others have expressed about the direction this platform is heading in.
Dan Larimer posted a developmental update about EOS yesterday and it was downvoted by Ned "for aggrandizement." Mind you, Dan denied a payout for his post. Yet Ned's comment was upvoted to the tune of nearly $3K.
Well, it seems like that comment and downvote was the final straw for Dan. He has since posted publicly that he is no longer going to support Steemit or Steem and will work towards establishing a better model for an internet community on EOS.
Reward pool exploitation is an evident problem that has remained unaddressed on this site. It is further exacerbated by the fact that the highest levels of Steemit Inc seem to stand by it and even engage in it (as Ned's above referenced comment portrays), while downvoting the content of the founding architect of this blockchain. I am simply at a loss for words, as I expressed here.
I know you have largely checked out of this place, but I'd like to hear your take on all of this. I too have checked out and will not be contributing original content anymore, especially after seeing how Dan has been treated.