I think that if we make more people jump a little higher to get in, it won't stop people coming but it will get them invested into making Steemit a great place to interact, post and hopefully earn. There is so much hidden potential that could reveal itself if, and only if, we get through these current issues.

I think you're on to something. Steemit likes to promote its website as a quality blog. So far it really isn't. I was attracted here because of these rules: no spamming, no trolls, no plagiarism and no censorship. A few more rules and hoops to jump through might attract more serious bloggers, people who actually have something to say, sports fishermen out to land a trophy, not seiners with gill nets out to snag whatever they can. We just have to recognize that it could be a very slippery slope and figure out ways to prevent flagging for disagreement or personal prejudices. It truly is a difficult problem that must be addressed if Steemit is to live up to its potential.