I do not upvote based on friendship :) It does not seem fair because I agree with you on:
So being a friend is great but it can be kinda bad for the platform's biggest point: to reward the quality and original content.
2nd option is my way too, and I avoid the 4th in commenting as well as in responding to comments on my posts. I am not here to argue with anyone, if you have a different opinion I will thank you for presenting it and that is it :) I do not see the need to convince anyone about anything, in life and in steemit.
I enjoyed reading this and I have a tiny spark of hope that people will get the message that it carries. (if I got the message right of course hehe)
Yes, you got the message!
Steemit has always been friendly network, actually that's why I am here and that's why I'm so concerned about this matter. Thank you