I think it all has to do with the way people reach Steemit.
Let's take a look at that:
People who get here are usually searching for crypto related platforms or on how to earn crypto.
People appear on the portal by searching through the avenue "Desire" which is trying to sate their "need" for this particular topic.
People aren't joining because they are looking to share their ideas or get into a friendly community, they are joining to earn.
I'm not saying everyone is like this, but most of them are.
So we're attracting those who are more prone to game the system than the general public.
The "smartass" size of the pie in this sample is way bigger than in other communities, let's say Facebook.
Just my opinion.