No, I definitely agree with your last statement that profit maximization behavior right now is coming at the expense of the collective. Unfortunately, as I stated it's not that a lot of us whales can't see it, we just can't stop or trust other large stakeholders from doing it. It's similar to the prisoner's dilemma, except with so many trustless parties it's too costly to collaborate and we end up where we are. Because while everyone taking part is the worse possible outcome for the collective, not taking part while everyone else is is the worst possible outcome for the individual. I'm well aware that if we all clawed back our own votes it's worse than if we all didn't because the value loss in steem price (either falls or unrealized potential gains) in a rational market will exceed what we get. But it's sort of the game theoretical sub optimal place we're in and seemingly stuck.
I don't agree that prevailing ethical or social norms can be relied on to take precedence in an economic system. Maybe ideally this would be the case, but it's too far fetched. I do suggest what I consider a very realistic and far superior solution in my other reply to this very same post. Thanks for reading my take and voicing your views. I'm interested in seeing what you think of my suggested solution below.
RE: Embracing Linear Equality on Steem: Unlearning the Sucker & Maximising the Arsehole in Me