This subject has been so discussed, I feel at times like I should just let it die. But, it seems that no matter how much information gets put out there, there's always a small group of people who don't grasp the whole picture. They may have a general notion, but the whole picture is absent.
Reward Pool
The topic of much heated debate, and the abstract nonphysical treasure so many people defend. I will say this, It's not that I don't get the complaints, because I completely do. It's more that the math here is simple, and yes: "code is law" is the mantra.
The more SP you have, the more pool you control. If you have a smaller amount of SP, then you mathematically, by design, have a small say in the allocation of the pool. If you find that fair or unfair is another subject all together. The point is that the system is clear on this.
Of course the conversations are very emotional, more so because we've bought into the notion that there's such thing as reward pool rape. The idea that someone can allocate more of the inflation, that the system allows. Do you see how that does not compute? How could someone allocate more than the system allows without it being a glitch in the code? It's literally not possible.
We may think the reward pool is not being used wisely, and that is also another subject, but it's not being raped, it's simply not how the system works.
Bidbot Maximalists
Don't understand the math either. They think that the way you get a lot of money is by shitposting and bidbotting your way to the trending and this could not be further from the truth. That being said, the math is complicated, and some I'm sure have not taken the time to really draw up any numbers.
A somewhat common optimal scenario for a bidbot maximalist is to get about a 10% ROI on their investment. That is to say, that if everything goes well, if he or she doesn't catch any flags, incur the wrath of Steemcleaners or what have you, they can possibly, with high risk mind you, make about 10% on their investment.
To translate this into simpler math, a Bidbot Maximalist that waits three days to boost a post, and sends it to let's say $50 every time. Is probably making $5 and that's solely if it works out. So you see, they are not making $50 on their posts, because most of it is being transferred to bots and their delegators. They however, see the $50 and feel like rockstars a bit.
But this practice in futility (imo) can easily be broken with a fluctuation in the markets or by some downvotes.
The point is, that someone who is a constant content producer, and makes $5 organically, makes the same amount of gains, almost without risk at all. So what's better, I ask you? The answer seems obvious to me.
Freedom
In closing. I say people need to make their own beds, and learn the hard way sometimes. Yes, some people will get it, will build a community of support around themselves, create meaningful relationships, and some will play the cat and mouse game. But, it's not my place to tell people what role they should be playing.
MenO