I also read, curate and comment. Currently I use my curation to try to encourage others rather than to make money. (I also want to see this work) My vote is worth nearly nothing, so a comment and letting someone know a human stopped by might keep someone in the game.
I am also very bothered by the silence of the "leaders", and discouraged by the lack of transparentcy. I am new to crypto, but I find I would have to change all of my criteria for investment in order to put much money into SteemIt.
WE ARE NOT DEAD YET. Keep pounding the drums.