Maybe I don't fully understand, as I am new to steemit, but this always presented itself as problem to me from the get go.
Correct me if I am wrong, as I don't have a firm grasp:
Steemit system is BASED on monetary gain. Those with more monetary value, have more power within the system. To me this just makes the steemit environment and instant late-stage-capitalism/trickle-down-economics scheme. People with wealth get richer, and barely anything trickles down to the rest of us. On top of that, like late stage, it just pins everyone against each other. Every one is in it to become one of the top 10%, IE not share their wealth. I mean, that's sorta the idea that I got from all of it. 
Now I am not saying the above is not a problem, but you can also see it spawn a counter-culture of "oh well I am not getting votes, this is the obvious reason, I SPEND HOURS making content." I mean let's be real, if you are spending hours on content with no results, you can't just instantly blame the system. Maybe your content isn't good enough, or people just don't find it interesting? So you just get instagram post envy with people reporting every one higher then them, looking for reasons to bring them down.
It seems a social issue, more than just whale corruption.

Just my thoughts, and like I said, I don't really have a firm grasp on things, so any insight would help.