I think people only upvote authors with high reputations now. The rep system makes people less likely to read content be there is mathematical shortcut. Solution hide the author for first hour. At least for 30 minutes till curation. Rewards max. New is playground for new voters and new authors. Reputation is important and will be shown everywhere else but leave new to he newbies

If all you are doing is autovoting high reps or selected authors you are t helping stee
But the incentives force us to do that.