I 100% agree with you, and as a minnow, everyone can feel free to try this experiment out on me.
Lol... Joking aside, I think that we often do underestimate generousity's reciprocal effect. When we help others, they're more inclined to help us. Pretty simple.
We see it in the comments section all the time. For example, if I comment on a post, and get a big upvote from the author, I may be more apt to come back. I may not even consciously think this, but people respond to that generous gesture.
Why would vote bots used to support little Steemians be much different? People would appreciate the support, and be apt to support you back.
That's my two cents.
Thanks for the thoughtful comment, Chris.
I think some of this really goes back to the fundamentals of community building. People here seem to get very very wrapped up in "the money" and then forget the underlying purpose for why they are here. Communities happen because people derive some sort of mutual benefit from their association.
So if I give you something, and you give me something, we support the integrity of the community. But if I use those same resources to just give myself something... then there actually IS no "community" there, just me in my own echo chamber.
Ironically, the mere fact that there is so much discussion about this very topic suggest we DO have a very strong community... or people simply wouldn't care.