I think some of the problem might be that you are scrolling the trending page. I go through new posts and sometimes hot posts and I am always finding gems. The platform is what the people make it with every interaction. So I think if Steemit sucks it is probably because people just suck. Lol.
I am an artist, and Steemit has already been very valuable to me in my few months of use as far as building relationships with interesting people, learning, and even being able to upgrade my equipment and supplies.
As an activist, the only thing that draws me is that I won't be banned for telling the truth. I dunno about the trending and hot pages. I clicked on the profile of someone who upvoted me and then saw this. That's how I browse the web anyways. Clickclickclick!
Click on brother.
right, organic outreach :D