Totally agree. I really don't get it. If you are buying votes, then aren't you often paying more for  the vote than what the vote is worth?...or maybe not. For me it all seems just pretty lame. I'd prefer to reach out to whales like yourself, and say "Hey! throw this little guy a bone. Can't you see how much work I put into my highly unique and informative blog. I can't be doing this for pennies." Something like that.

I haven't came out and said that to you. But I did @lukestokes just before quitting the platform. He saw and recognized my efforts and quality work here, and has since supported me. With him having a 7 dollar up-vote it's changed everything for me here, and frankly has kept me here.

You actually checked out my work and gave me four fat up-votes in a row. It's hard to describe how good that made me feel after almost quitting.

My first two months was like $.13 (20 upvotes) $.42 (30 upvotes) $.63 (40 upvotes) Getting paid is where it's at brother! I don't have time to work for free. I enjoy my travel life. Getting support from the whales is like getting hired for my contributions to the platform.

I've been living out of a backpack for 11 years. My blog is so informative and unique for just another "travel blog". People are now seeing it and appreciating it. I didn't intend to write so much about myself, but minnows are struggling here and want to make it so bad, that they buy their up-votes! uggg. I was literally just going walk away instead, and call it a loss.

Thank you for your support in the present, past, and future. Love and appreciate what you do here as well! Enjoy Steemfest my Steemit friend.