You have a very valid point on #1 but this is why I feel my votes are better saved for minnows, a little selfish but honest. The key here is making your name known around here. Minnows are fairly predictable for me as I am one. We look at those votes, see who is voting up our posts. We remember those names. I doubt whales even look, and even if they look and like your comment and even if you make such an impression they follow you... not the same impact long term as being the little fish who gave you a hand up when you were krill, or even swam alongside you in your minnow time. Those are people who will actually going to READ the posts, and engage in conversations based on actual common interests, not just a mutual adoration society.
Thanks YOU for engaging in intelligent conversation with me! That is what gets lost with autoupvotes and resteem bots and such, the "social media" aspect of all this.
And you did get my incredibly valuable .01 upvote ;)