My first thought was the possibility of garnering support from your followers/followed to counter the neg.
I then thought of a n00b, such as I am, with little power in such network as I have, to do that.
Then I thought of groups of Steemians with similar interests, including some that might be interested in ensuring that whimsical whales don't run around pulling the wings off flies.
I am glad that the outrageous imbalances in wealth in the world will not be accorded equivalent power to squash speech after HF19, as the two things are not the same thing, and should be separate.
Reputation, however, seems a better means of regulating the power to crush spam, that still might be able to harm n00bs, but also be simpler of rectification by concerned groups.
Just the thoughts of my admittedly naive perspective on how to preserve freedom of speech in a world where the powerful may not desire speech that irritates them.
Thanks for your informative reply to the post.
I'm with you! I'm mid sized too :3