You have a good point with everything you say and I'm thinking how things can improve.
But I want to mark a point here:
circle-curating
This is still happening, I come as the vote is still in a circle where a certain group of users constantly receive votes from $ 5 to $ 30 continuously and regardless of the quality of their work.
Which leaves out many users and especially the new ones who come with passion and quality content.
All the points you make in your post are important but this one caught my attention since the "CIRCLE OF VOTES" is not always good.
No one is obliged to support anyone, but I think there must be a balance for everything to develop organically.
It is my opinion.
Those who like photography, upvote photography; those who are into fiction, upvote fiction; those who love cooking, upvote cooking. It's natural. I don't see it as a problem, unless, of course, like @therealwolf said earlier, it is flagrant shit-post abuse.
But I repeat, everyone is free to do what they want. I only give my opinion on what I see.
I will continue working and well with time things will improve.