Steemit and its reward (payment) system is complicated. This is intentional, so as to stop scammers. But for the ordinary person, this is confusing. So, as you noted, people see the big earnings of others, and wonder why they themselves aren't making it like the others. After all, its just so easy isn't it?
I've seen noobs, time and time again, arrive on this platform and begin with the tactics of the old social media, and fail miserably. If they don't give up and stick around, they then start to cry, that Steemit is rigged.