I think the problem with engagement is that it costs time to build on. Time isn't something most people are willing to invest when they could be creating content somewhere or working a regular job. I'm not saying engaging with other content creators isn't worth it, I'm saying that investing on a social relationship on the blockchain tends to take a lot of time that most shy away from.
For content creators that are already secured with their autoupvotes from generous high hp holders, the initiative to engage becomes less attractive because they no longer have to practice better public relations to be visible. They have substantial and regular sources of rewards to be happy with.
I think engagement still is a necessary part to thrive on this blockchain. Because your fans may leave anytime. This is when bonds matter most because people still welcome you into their social circle if you had good rapport with them from the beginning.
I am definitely guilty of this and haven't engaged near as much as I used to.
When I was helping to lead some communities it was almost my obligation to be active on the platform and that definitely burned me out after a while and still trying to find a good mix of being active on the platform and avoiding burn out and getting behind on other real-life obligations.
I think everyone goes through with this and they would be really lying if they didn't. Engaging with other people here can be taxing and the rewards aren't as profitable as when you focus on real life matters. You can also get mixed up on blockchain drama if you're not careful. But I think that's the aspect that people miss out a lot when judging someone's rewards for their posts. It's not that the content is worth the reward, it's more of people rewarding the person for the social and other intangible aspects they have contributed to the blockchain.
Definitely a great point
This is another thing that I got caught up in that I think led to my burnout and I am glad that I recognized it and try and stay as far away from the drama as possible because all it does is take brain space that it doesn't deserve.