"circle-jerk clicking" You coin the term. Right now Steemit economy is mainly based on that unfornately even if Dan & Ned has improved the comment experience weeks after week. I would suggest that you write a post only on this proposition. It is a very interesting one, it would shift for the better the experience as it can create a more genuine interaction between users.
RE: Last Night I Dreamt About Steemit — 10 Suggestions To Make the Platform Grow