In my view, curation is currently best done with specific users in mind rather than content: users we don't want to lose; users who, while their stake may be low, will bring value to the platform through their continued engagement.
This is what I think too. And if it happens at all levels it creates a healthier system all up. It is difficult to find balances and, everyone thinks that they bring value and quality to the table (I get DMs a couple times a day) and that they are under-rewarded. It is impossible for everyone to consistently get support but if the place can't keep the people it wants to keep, there are going to be bigger issues to come.
I understand that there are those who feel that automated curation is the devil, and I suspect I won't win popularity with those people by doing this, but I do hope that my intentions are well-received.
There is just no way to do what you have been doing manually either.