People are allowed to self-vote, like it or not, so please do not attack anyone who does it [...]. If you think it is a problem, then we need to make system changes to stop it. [...]
I personally agree that we should be respectful, especially in dialogue. However I also think that it is right and proper to challenge people on their behavior. For my part I will do that, and while I do not believe it would ever constitute an attack I will use my words and stake, as I am also entitled to, to oppose it.
We also need to keep in mind the benefits that self-voting has as people are more inclined to buy and keep steem if it lets them vote for themselves and get their content seen. [...] You cannot just expect people will behave in a certain way and the best way is to encourage the type of activity you want is to have the network benefit those activities.
You're absolutely correct, the incentive needs to be there to encourage behavior towards a pre-agreed goal. I think the alignment of this is currently off.
However social incentives also work. For example it is quite frowned upon to flag excessively. By challenging self voting I think we can work towards promoting frowning upon self voting too. Obviously this is only a temporary solution until some system change is to be made, but it does not mean it's not worth doing.
Yeah please do voice yourself when you feel there are changes to be made. We need to deal with problems. And about social incentives, at the very least, it is bringing attention to the situation.