Agree with you, influence in steemit is a king, many members just searh vote for their post.
But i thought we have to run our steemit smartly and heartly.
There are some typical user, investor (just look for SBD), social ( share what they know and what they have, also use steemit as media social), and free user ( use steemit just for fun, and expose themselves).
So, just look in to your heart, what for you join this media social ( steemit ).
I am sorry to hear your friend has left his pen on steemit.
And thank you for sharing the post.
Hopefully new beginner like me, will success in steemit as you are.
I just enjoy my life, and enjoy my steemit