The idea that a group of people acting in their rational self-interest alone would automatically evolve into a working society people want to be part of may need some adjustment.
The ever-present short-term profit seekers and an economic system that favours wealth as a tool for accumulating wealth make sure that Steemit will degenerate at an increasing rate unless there is a more moral countermovement that, in the case of Steemit, will unfortunately also have to have big wallets. I think it is unlikely this will happen, and I have even less faith in prettily shaped reward curves and their associated theories.
Prediction: rather than admitting that Steemit provides an example of how a certain way of economic and societal thinking does not work, people will say it is not a true Scotsman.
That moral shift will be required at any time humanity wants to evolve past this point in time. I am doubtful it is possible, at least with the paradigm most live by.
It is not in the interest of the wealthiest to let society evolve, and Steemit has the additional problem a violent revolution is not possible, even if you could find enough people who care 8-).
This is also why people act the way they act. There is no consequence to behaving badly and even if burned, a new account can be obtained in minutes.