While the point does deviate slightly from your main topic (that spending SBD for a minnow to get more attention is not worth it) I will point out that the 5k that was "burned" is essentially 10 BTC worth of Steem that is no longer in circulation. Even if it is primarily helping the dolphins in terms of post promotion, I'm happy to see that it is also helping the rest of us as far as helping to increase the price/ value of Steem.