Hi @swinn, thank you for your interesting analyses of the current situation on steemit. It is pretty much that what is hapenning here right now. I total agree. Im having the same issue with the contents that i want to post. I am not comfortable with the idea of spend a lot of time and effort to post contents that it won't fairly pays out my work. Is like, in the society that we know,  greed start to take over. You are right, the current Steem power holders are bots and the Steem team itself, wich, in my opinion is doing a very bad job (Steem team). I am not happy. And my votes will change. Or I will move at any opportunity that might apear in the future. Yes, I am talking about of Dan Larimer and IOS. 

Any way, for now i m glad having people like you and @coldbolt talking about important issue and creating value to the community. Following both for more. Cheers