Barry I really like your thinking and what you are saying here, unless one is blind its clear that if someone is a well-known personality or has a large following then they are certainly getting some extra whale loving.
I am at a point where I am totally discouraged from writing anything anymore and I am sure there are others that feel the same also.
I believe the flow of quality content will lessen as will interest in steemit, I recently was chatting to a buddy, telling him about steemit and the first thing that popped out his mouth was "oh I have heard of that scheme, unless your famous your not getting money there so I will skip it" I was shocked but the sad part is it seems like the impression is already out there.