These periodic drama flareups occur. They usually follow the same pattern.
Some user is getting oversized rewards and is happy than a pig in shyte.
One or more stakeholders (whales) spots what is going on and starts to counter the rewards.
All hell breaks loose because the recipient is happy to receive but is not happy to lose.
They fail to realize that the rewards are not theirs until payout takes place. Until then they can go up or down at the whim of the market.
People take sides and through posts and/or comments the debate rages.
While it seems all consuming when you are in the middle of it. The fact is for the majority of those active on Steemit, life goes on. They post, get voted on, get paid or not paid.