RE: 500 followers milestone, thank you!
I dont say it is wrong but imagine this. You find this platform when it starts, when 1 steem costs few cents and each post earns big reward. You acumulate tokens worth nothing outside of this platform. If you want to cash them out, you need new commers who buy them from you for real money. I added some euro so somebody could cash their tokens. They have so many but create even more for themself with each selfvote or bots they control. I need to buy all possible bot votes to get my post at the same place in trending as some whale with single selfvote. That is why self voting will not change. you give yourself 4 cents with 100% while sweetsssj will put a post, selfvote with 71usd, than another whale friend give her another 60usd. They are witnesses who decide about it and why would they change if it works. How can we compete? You could be best writer, your post will not be seen anyways. Just dream and invest real money to reach their level, while they know it is not possible at this stage...
From what I just read, it appears that you chose, freely, to invest in Steem and play the game. Again, how is that an example of Whales taking advantage of you? If you don't like it, why did you do it?
Because all whales who make videos on youtube, say come and play with us and show how much they make and create illusion that you can be succesful. You are needed to push this message on your social media and bring more users. After a while you will realize that you are only needed as a number so more content is created, then as a new investor so they can cash some steem. If they all try to sell it at once, the price will drop to close to zero. The game is rigged, like real economy, but you will realize that soon. Untill then, have fun! I wish you all the best!