There’s got to be a way to spread compensation out among witnesses. Maybe the top 21 would still get most of it, but the percentage that the others get should be prorated with a smoother transition rather than dropping off a cliff.

The current system creates a “bubble” effect that poker tournament players are familiar with where a tournament pays 10% of entrants. At least with Steem, the witnesses below the 21 cutoff can get something but for all the work they do that something could/should be higher.