Competition rules should not really be compared to social interaction. Engagement is all about appealing to something other platforms don't give. True Steem was first and so has the advantage to continue to innovate first. But that predicates on the idea of consistently iterating on your advantage. ie not resting on your laurels as they say.
Of course I come at this from a non-crypto point of view but to me community should be more about a shared experience through good and bad times more than if should be about celebrating when things are on the ascendant. Or to put is another way.
"We don't have to take our clothes off to have a good time"
Anyway, interesting points and to be honest Steem is the first platform I have even considered actively engaging in which for an unimpressionable cynic like me is highly unusual.