I see vote bots just as a way to promote myself and (make a slight bit of money) for now, but in all honesty it's just a symptom of a much bigger problem.
Can't wait for the SMTs to arrive either, curious what it will bring, what kind of communities it will shape. Don't get me wrong, I love Steemit and its opportunities, but sometimes this whole resemblance it has to the real world just turns me off... (even though I am a part of it ^.^)