What's more, that, in my opinion is what STEEM needs to reach a critical mass. A larger number of actively growing accounts that will in turn curate, onboard, and shepherd more new people onto the blockchain.

Yep, I think the same and tthis takes time to reach. I am patient :)

I myself am somewhat guilty of "milking" for now, but I do have plans in my mind for contributing to efforts to improve the blockchain. Whether or not I can actually cause those plans to come to fruition remains to be seen, but I am definitely going to give it a shot.

THere is a difference between milking and investing for the future i think depending on what the intention and drive is behind it.

I have done a fair bit and also earned a fair bit but, I have never used any of it myself. One day I have plans too.