I just keep thinking that Steemit is going to see waves of new users gradually becoming not-so-new users, followed by a new wave of new users, and with that in mind, if we are relatively new and want the payoff that we see whales enjoying we just need to build a community with people who are at a similar place as ourselves. Theoretically, I will keep supporting the people I am becoming "friends" with now well into the future (if they stick around) and they will keep supporting me. I think what we need is way to keep track of who we really connect with, so we can remember to stay in touch.