If the power to influence payouts can be purchased, then we will always run into these problems. But the fact steem can be powered up, influencing payouts is what gives it such value. It's sort of the ultimate catch twenty two.

I think a new network and blockchain would be required to build the sort of non-system community we would all like to partake in. The problem is, that in order to create a system, one will need the funds required to write the programs and then maintain the servers. Usually investors are required, to raise enough to hire the workforce and purchase the equipment required to implement it. Usually investors want an advantage for their money, or the promise of gain in the future.

I believe the only way one could do it would be through a massive crowd funding. The catch would have to be that, everyone would have to invest the same amount. Unless it was a true donation. That way everyone would have the same starting point. The use of bots would have to be prohibited and enforced, and one could never power up. Under these situations I think a much fairer social media could thrive. I just don't know how much it's currency would be worth if it was unable to impact the reward pool.