For a start yes I think this definitely opens a book of master classes or workshops, and that is nothing but a good thing, but as I mentioned in another comment, I think if we simply make the criteria objective rather than subjective, there's a lot less pressure. For example with steemstem, you can probably get a worthy upvote if your content is original, references, credited images and more than say 100 words.
If that kind of thing is clear, people won't feel robbed because it's laid out in front of them. For the most part people will more likely strive to work better for bigger upvotes. Kids at school who get a D- typically don't complain, they know they suck and they don't much care.
Kids who get a B are typically good kids who will see that as a promising result with room to improve. Not many will storm out of the classroom demanding an A! Though I'm sure that happens...