It would motivate if this social media was actually social.  Interaction is so limited and actually rare.  You might get 200 votes and only have 6 set of eyeballs on the post.  Why invest in what is mostly a bot party?  So real engagement would go a long ways toward motivating people.

Its a chicken and egg problem...better price action and a higher price would beget better price action and a higher price.  There is nothing here that would not be made better with a higher price for Steem.  This place is hopin' when people are making  some money.