Steemit is amazing in so many ways, but it definitely isn't perfect.
The harassment issue is definitely a big one - I've seen the examples that you've pointed out to me, and it's certainly shocking. The worst part is what you've mentioned about the developers - that they didn't say that a solution is coming, but just attempted to ignore the problem. That's unfortunate, and hopefully as time goes on, they will address this in more detail. There is the "mute" function on Steemit of course, though fortunately I've never had cause to use it, so I'm not sure how well it works.
The casino problem is a funny one. The system was designed like this, with the idea being that people will produce more quality content in the hopes of receiving a disproportionate reward. @bacchist has some interesting thoughts on the subject. Personally, I just accept the casino factor as par for the course - if those are the rules, then that's what I have to play by, even though sometimes it seems like some of my best posts drift away in obscurity. It does make me hustle harder to figure out ways to promote my posts, and think carefully about my headlines and title images.
I'm excited about Synereo, especially now that they finally have an alpha launch date. I bought $10 or $20 worth of AMPs in the presale... It's made me a little money. Might make me a lot in the long term.
I think the casino effect wouldn't go away - value being all subjective and even pitted against timing, placement, and state of minds. It'd be a little ridiculous to employ automated trickling as well in which a vote on a node distributes itself based on the other nodes in a network (in this case, followers). For one, I'll be checking out Synereo as well when it's out, and it'd be good news for Steemit if it ends up being a complicated machine for casual users.
That is because is software already. At this stage Synereo is just vaporware and for that reason it sounds like "perfect". Wait until they launch a platform for real and then you will be able to compare 2 real platforms.
Whoa, settle down buddy. You're talking to me as if I was saying Synereo was better than your mama's cooking. I've been following Synereo for years, but before they announced the alpha, I was starting to think it would never come out.