In my humble opinion, this is a significant problem undermining the success of this platform. Often it is the mediocre content that breaks the ranks due to the advantages gained via the self-vote. I have thought long and hard about this thing and I have found myself in the camp that self-voting is counterintuitive to the premise of a decentralized social network.

I am but a minnow, nevertheless, I have a voice. My hope is that the self-voting mechanism is removed as Steemit evolves. We really need to look at this from an outsider on Steemit or rather a new join.

They create an account
They start posting their heart out
They notice the prevalent self-voting trend and are discouraged
They quit Steemit and go back to Facebook

Is that what we want?

This is a serious question. I am a fervent believer that self-voting is one of the BIGGEST deterrents to the growth of Steemit. As a result, I have begun a new project using Steemit's Python Scripting library. My script will find the posts that do not self-vote themselves and will upvote them. Consider it an equalizer if you will but if will not do much unless it has the support of the community.

My desire is to reward those that genuinely share an interest in helping others which will grow the community by leaps and bounds. Perhaps this post will gain an audience with a Steemian who holds influence that agrees with the thoughts of my heart. Either way, I had to get this thing off my chest after reviewing the disappointing results of my no-self vote script.

More to come soon, my friends!

Permalinks of non-self voted "Hot" Posts. I highly encourage to give them a look. Thank you

@bitcoinparadise/making-it-rain-in-steemspeak is a non-self voted post!
@steemcleaners/steemcleaner-report-for-september-25-2016-october-1-2017 is a non-self voted post!
@juvyjabian/the-land-of-imaginative-aspiration-india is a non-self voted post!
@nolnocluap/australian-banks-scramble-to-speed-transfer-times-in-an-attempt-to-mitigate-the-disruptive-force-of-good-that-is-bitcoin is a non-self voted post!
@soundlegion/tom-petty-free-fallin-acoustic-cover is a non-self voted post!
@cervantes/post-votados-por-el-equipo-cervantes-01-10-2017-01-46-uhr-03-10-2017-23-40-hr is a non-self voted post!
@carlover/45qkyn-give-you-2-wonderfull-car-picture-for-your-post is a non-self voted post!
@cryptvs/governo-dos-eua-arrecada-usd48-milhoes-com-a-venda-dos-bitcoins-apreendidos-no-silkroad is a non-self voted post!
@writingamigo/if-i-am-surrounded-by-idiots-am-i-the-doctor-or-am-i-the-main-idiot is a non-self voted post!
@dags/20171004t002008162z is a non-self voted post!
@brazine/cotacoes-de-criptomoedas-em-real-brasileiro-brl-3-de-outubro is a non-self voted post!
@coffeetime/we-your-co-teacher-can-have-her-at-anytime is a non-self voted post!
@splendorhub/y5lmfxlu is a non-self voted post!
@dreamingirwin/my-favorite-time-of-day is a non-self voted post!
@winstonwolfe/w-w-s-digital-wet-plate-photography-a-bricked-perspective is a non-self voted post!
@cryptoreal/coinhive-mineracao-de-criptomoedas-via-browser-aprenda-a-bloquear is a non-self voted post!
@steemsports/fc-barcelona-3-las-palmas-0-lionel-messi-inspired-barcelona-in-an-empty-camp-nou is a non-self voted post!
@mcgill/this-campus-aint-too-shabby-2017-10-03-23-08-23 is a non-self voted post!
@kid4life/-i-m-all-yours is a non-self voted post!
@crypto-daily/fsnrudu4 is a non-self voted post!
@mikegun/treetuesday-trees-in-fall is a non-self voted post!