I was a fucking idiot though. Such whales do not exist on this platform, or if they do, they pay little enough attention to what is going on here. I have known this for quite some time, which is why I stopped putting hours into my posts a good while ago now. I have no interest in having to play bingo for a payout after all I have given to the platform, and all the excellent content I once produced for the blockchain.

Your post got me in a reflective mood. It made me remember a post I had read sometime ago on how steemit works.

On one hand, I'm not happy that you're not gaining the attention you feel you deserve. It sucks and I know it. But is that reason enough to quit (no one mentioned quitting though).

The more I think about it, the less I want to be undisturbed by the absence of whales and all. I've been upvoted by a whale though but I think something else should hold our attention.

For me, it's an audience to read my works and interact with me. I feel it's the same with you too. It is true that many followers either aren't active or just want some kickback (that's why following me doesn't assure you of a follow). But I refuse to be bothered about all of that.

I used to write on Fiverr. I was earning $5 per post. I left because I felt I was losing my essence. I would devote my soul into a piece and have another have it as their own. It was killing me.

Maybe that's why I don't share your degree of frustration (plus the fact that the dollar has a lot of value in my country)

Abuses are everywhere. Good people are everywhere too. I think you have to make a choice. If not, you'll end up like those folks who all they do is rant about the wrongs on Steemit without contributing anything meaningful.

Blessings

PS: I follow people and comment on posts for recognition. I don't deny it. When I joined Steemit, I knew no one. I had to reach out and following and upvoting is just my style. These days, I don't do that anymore but I don't regret it either.