People always say such things when they're only joining, but experienced users tend to tell a different story. I'd recommend you to learn about rewardpoolrape and what has been going on.

One older user commented (I can't remember who or where, sorry) that there are three types of users:

1. Those who rape the reward pool,
2. Those who fight them because they know the content they genuinely create no matter how good has no chance against 10$+ vote bots that only do one thing (vote on every vomment, a typo, but I'll leave it, of their owner, all day, every day); and
3. Those who have no clue what's going on and usually follow to get a piece of the pie

Just saying it doesn't seem like all daisies. Not that I would leave, the idea that could be is too good, and I share your enthusiasm.

Again, best of luck :)