Although I powered up 1/4 and then used some to rent delegations which I have to say is very expensive right now on account that bid bots are all trying to get it and not leaving a lot to smaller minnows like me.
You are also earning less because they are decreasing the amount of pool available to an increasing amount of users.
true as you said and it make sense that the pay out will be flatter but more spread out. There is the need to stay relevant and touch as many people.
Who know may hivemind, communities and GPT will fix some of the curation rewards.