Reputation being dependent on stake, as it presently is, is much like the knob slobbering RL enemedia. It's got little relevance to actual honor for folks that undertake to game it, but it's there, so people consider it.
The recent work revealed by Stinc shows that the combination of SMTs, oracles, and communities will utterly transform not only reputation, but Steemit and Steem.
Check it out to learn more.
Thanks!
I am not so conversant with the SMT stuff, but the hype is definitely there. If it brings with it the solution to such problems as concerns us here, then that is really good. I hope it does.