You are exactly on target. I wrote an anniversary post--looked back over my year on Steemit--and came to a similar conclusion. The post has paid out, so I've nothing to gain by referring you to it. I think I offered a reasonable alternative to the current operating model. Several very sensible people thought my analysis was sound. Please read Steemit on Dopamine: a Way Forward. I want Steemit to succeed because I'm having a really good time blogging here. But there is a greater reason--people in struggling economies need this alternative. You never know--one day we may need it also.