I really dont understand steem/it - the math and mechanics is just not something I'm 'turned on' by, but I am very interested in the principles involved.

It seem to me, that with bid bots and downvoting - coupled with numerous accounts held by the same persons - that the system is manipulated.

IF steem is define as a real asset (money or otherwise), then these systems must surely be illegal (manipulating financial markets!??)

followed.