Last time I was looking the platform was growing. And I know a lot of persistent users doing just fine. Today's dolphins were yesterdays minnows.
Yes, the trending list is shit, and of course the reward pool could be distributed way better.
Personally, I go lenghts to make sure my votes are distributed as broadly as possible. Meanwhile I watch flocks of minnows trailing votes on already trending posts.
Like in the real world, the problem you percieve lies deeply in how humans act as a society. It's not capitalism or socialism. It's tribalism and self-preservance. That won't change. It's easy to criticize, but it won't lead you anywhere.
Just be assured, steem won't die because of it, just like the real world doesn't either.
You're using logical fallacies here. Just becuase it's "natural" for us to kill each other, and fight over the remains doesn't mean it's right – or it benefits us. If everyone is out for themselves, then we are constantly trying to fight and outdo each other. If, however, we collaborated then we'd achieve more. This is because we'd be able to collaborate, and take advantage of the unique qualities all of us offer, meaning we could discover more and do better.
I didn't say what happens would be right, or beneficial to the majority. I just stated how it is.
Complaining still doesn't lead anywhere. I do what I can to make things go into a direction I can support, but the individuals power is limited.