@crypto-econom1st I think that the bots are more profitable than what they have to calculate as long as you get them before the 30 min window kicks in. Keeping part of the curation is a huge factor in what makes you profitable or not. But I also think that many people don't realize how the votes are calculated and sometimes are voting with a big disadvantage to the market price (ie building in a loss)... This keeps the bot owners able to keep their machines on while they offer a good price for others.

As far as the price going down, yes I realize that it will be huge for us when it stops and we get votes cast at the lower prices. Right now is a great time to be votes as the amount of SP you get is the highest per vote than it has been since I arrived in Decemeber!