I totally get what you are saying... but I don't understand how that is different than anything else that makes you money in life. Have you ever tried to start a small business? It is very hard, and you can only get out what you put into it. There are only two ways that you can grow a business... with hard work, or money. And no matter how hard you try make your mark there is always the good-ol-boys club that scratches eachothers backs. Either you have to spend a ridiculous amount of time making content that people really actually like (and this stuff does exist on steemit) and building a following for that content or you have to buy your way into some attention (thank goodness for voting bots). Without being in the whale club, anyone is going to have a hard time coming into some real money on steemit. At least with voting bots people have a chance of buying some exposure. And then if they have good content they will be able to grow a following. The good content exists, you just have to find it.