You've touched on the issue closest to my heart, which is

If this truly is a platform where the best content rises to the top, something needs to change so that the best content really does rise to the top.

If transparency is as valued here as is so often said, then we all need to be upfront about the distance between the goal and the our current location. It's so wonderful that Steemit would attempt to promote quality content that I'll stick around in hopes it happens, just to be a part of something that altruistic. But to imply that it is or has even been actually happening here spreads misinformation that will definitely backfire. The best way to not attain a goal is to tell yourself you've already achieved it.