Looks like your estimate of how much this post will make is going to be way off. I do agree with you (at least somewhat) is that it's a problem. The source though isn't that just anyone can post a picture of a sunset and make more than you, it's that the right people do it and once people start seeing it gaining traction, they want to upvote it for some of the curation.

I can't recall the reasoning, but the whitepages do lay out why you not only can vote for yourself but why it's automatic on your own posts. It made sense when I read it but I'm so sure it applies to comments as accurately.

Ultimately, I agree that this is somewhat an issue as it does discourage quality content creators - who are absolutely necessary for the long-term survival of the platform. Part of me wishes you couldn't see the payout on any posts but your own so that people would vote for what they actually like instead of trying to hop on the wagon and get their tiny slice.