Your comparison of old and new Steem is great, thank you for that @exyle

Steem is a business platform and most of the votes are exchanged but that's ok. As for comments, I believe that they are one of the most important factors for blogging a success. Let's say as a successful blogger and investor you have your fans, you also follow a certain number of users that you respect and reward. 
You don't have time to look at all the posts on Steemit, of course, there are some of them that are really high quality but not rewarded, and there are those who are average and have a lot of money. That is why someone who likes your posts but does not have a great reputation is not known to you, his chance is to establish a good relationship with you through quality comments. If he writes honest and good comments, then you will notice him, at some point you will go see his posts and then he has a chance to score. Comments are one of the main tools with which people can achieve success in Steemit. In the first place people vote for friends, for those with whom they are connected, then they vote for interest and only in third place for good post. As for me, comments are great marketing and a way to connect with other bloggers, because then you have a chance to make your blogs popular.

I wish you a speedy recovery.