I'd say money corrupts, Period. The system of monetary reward for posting is IMHO already corrupting honesty and integrity. The small fish suck up to the powerful ones to get rewarded with a nickel.
But it appears as if most of the guys in the "conspiracy" crowd here on steemit are not in for the money but because of the opportunity to exercise uncensored, free speech, which is why I am here. But even here one can observe quite a bit of butt kissing...