I thank you, Hive account@dannyshine, and those who have replied for the insights you give. As a 2 month old newbie on Steemit, I recognized almost immediately the 'groupthink' you mentioned. And as an old geezer with many years behind him, I also remember where I saw and heard that attitude before...

Back in the 70's and 80's, an American company called Amway spent a lot of time and money recruiting huge numbers of people with the promise that if they just sold enough soap or whatever, that they would be rich. The reality was far different, however. After alienating all of your friends and relatives by trying to get them involved, then buying hundreds of dollars worth of laundry soap, marketing materials and motivational tapes (these were the cassette tape days!), most of these thousands of hopeful people came to realize that the only ones who were getting rich were those at the top. Nowadays they operate under a different name. But they left a lot of hurt and angry people in their wake.

I see some of that same thing here with the whales vs minnows. Your experiences with those in upper positions just reinforces that in my mind. I still wish to be a part of Steemit, because I believe in the dream. But like many of you, I will dream with my eyes open and one hand on the door.