I guess the question for those committed to Steemit is, is it worth the effort to change the mindset of this type of user? Or better to let them fade off into a dead account? Success does take numbers after all.

Let them die off, IMO.

Sure, more users/numbers looks good for Steemit, but it won't increase market demand for STEEM, just produce inflation and crash the price - the payouts will all be going to those who want to cash out. If you throw your hands up and call it "a scam" or "a ponzi" after spending even a few hours in the world of cryptocurrency because you don't understand it or you're not making enough money for your posts when you're just getting started, then you shouldn't be here anyway.