This was fascinating to read. I am learning about Steemit as I go (little minnow here) and this explains a lot of my initial questions.

I came in about 2 days before HF19 so I don't know what it was like before, but I'm with you when you say you hope the voting evens out soon (also I like the quadratic suggestion. I get a lot minnow upvotes).

I love the platform, I love the concept, but I still find I am putting out content I am working very hard on with little to no reward. I won't give up, but some days it's more challenging.