I suppose even in the most beautiful landscape you'll see beasties crawling around if you take the time to turn over a rock here or there...
The problem is, where there is anything to be gained, whether it is money, fame or anything else, no matter how good the intentions of the creators, there will be a subculture emerging who is only after one thing: the most possible personal gain as fast as possible, come what may. I think it's human nature and there is nothing to be done, except try to avoid those people as best as one can, and actively look for the people who truly care instead. I've only been on Steemit barely a week but I feel that the difference in post quality and feel between someone who really cares about the community and someone who is only out for the rewards is very noticeable most of the time. That is very encouraging! And as you mentioned as well, the system is somewhat self regulated, because you are generally more successful when putting out quality content and behaving like a decent human being.
Of course it sucks that there are "corrupt whales" and I suppose they can do a lot of damage but as both you and Ali said, it's a reflection of "the real world".
sadly.
there will always be those who don't give a sh*t unfortunately :(
Let's hope that steemit will manage to keep the balance and not topple over "to the dark side". There's a tipping point somewhere, where if too many unhealthy elements in the system become too powerful, the whole thing tips over and becomes corrupted.
Very much like an eco system...
sorry if this is a bit disjointed, I'm kind of thinking as I write..
anyway! Hopefully, Steemit can keep the light and the dark in balance! May the Force be with us... XD