for the moment the rules are not clear and I think it's a bad thing to leave doubt.
Let's say the truth to come into play, Steemit's motto should not even contain the word reward. Come for the community is more than enough.
I agree with that, Steem was promoted by steemit as a place to get paid to post and not necessarily for contributing content that grow the ecosystem.
Not only whales opinion matter, The fact that I read and respond to your message confirms that. (didn't check, maybe you're also whale)
Explanation for high upvote : https://steemit.com/steem/@transisto/temporarily-pausing-my-anti-abuse-efforts-while-sbd-is-off-the-chart
Yes, I am whale in the real life i might have to lose a little weight, by the way :-D .
But on Steemit I am not a whale and then, even if I had been, I would never have said it, the whales have a hard life on Steemit!