I've experimented with the vote bots, but haven't had much luck yet. I supposed I have accepted Steemit as a platform that still operates with a lot of very familiar economic forces... And people buying popularity or position is just one of those familiar economic forces.
I do see Steemit as a revolutionary thing, but it still follows current human trends - things that appear more popular get more consideration, things backed with money get more consideration, and it takes money to make money.
Sure, just like in other areas of our economy, it is possible to do things "the old fashioned way" (hahaha!!!) and not buy advertisements, or votes, or try to win a popularity contest with anything other than hard work. But, that takes longer, just as in real life.
In the end, I think the barrier to entry to success on Steemit will continue to rise. Voting bots are part of that, but so is the fact that there are more and more people joining and more and more big accounts. Bots can help boost minnows that are frustrated, but they create other issues as well.
That boost to a minnow can keep people from getting frustrated and quitting.
Who knows? I think the bots are both good and bad, depending on what part of this little universe you are examining.