1,000 votes from fellow small fry voters adds up.
Yes, whales vote for whales... so what? Appeal to the masses, let the masses votes add up instead of hoping for that 1 huge payday vote. And comment hard. As a newbie commenting well enough to get it upvoted by the OP seems to be the major way to earn.
You're adding value, and you're right in their face with it while you do. Win-win.
RE: As long as the major players pay off the "Whales" for upvotes there is no chance for new comers