I understand the investment concept. That is something of a problem in itself if Steem really wants to serve as a currency. The principal role of a currency is to facilitate trade. Stocks and investments are to buy and hold while a currency's function is to spend it. Also a currency needs price stability to be able to safely guarantee what future expenses will be in doing business and longer term planning. Right now cryptos resemble stocks much more than currencies.
My main concern regarding the whales is that using money as a measure of content and influence which will over time be damaging to the Steemit platform. It's what happens currently and for far too long in society and yields dysfunctional results. My suggestion is to have another option to voting that is based on quality such as a one to five star rating system that determines what is trending and is not tied to rewards.
In the long run Steem will need to have some desirable economic base that appeals to others outside of itself or perhaps an internal marketplace if it is going to be able to pay for its maintenance costs.
I saw that you have another post, I'll check it out. Cheers.