I've always thought that people who associate with Steemit to make money from it are a burden to it. As a result, I think it has the reputation among outsiders as a failed/failing get rich quick scheme - repulsing people who are looking for other things.

I'm cool with it going to near zero to flush gold diggers. They strike me as people who have far more in common with prostitutes than anyone I would actually want to interact or exchange information with.