Are they not expecting some kind of monetary return for that?

Curation rewards.

And you might want to mute everyone if you refuse to take responsibility for misinterpreting what you read when it happens. The messing with you part was meant to be lighthearted. I just wanted to see how far you'd go before you realize your error, but instead of doing that, I told you what's happening.

For someone who despises bidbots, I'm puzzled as to why you're so offended and confused people would be excited to see someone take the steps to form an actual curation service.