This is a very good write up, I was also compiling a write up on this (Facebook vs Steemit). You handled most of it already, I will reference your post and will focus on other areas much later.

Now concerning the blacklisting issue, The team in charge have there own ideology on how thing should run, though it is looking like what we have in Africa and the most part of the world where Government are n't transparent.

I however suggest it should be democratic and there should be a public guideline on blacklisting or the general modus operandi revealing the salient issues about steemit apart from the normal "quick guide" in other words due diligence on things like blacklisting.

Better still since block chain is a disruptive, decentralized and distributed technology, steemit should, or be considered to evolve to allow user come to a consensus on what should be ideal for a fair and sustainable platform.

Imagine if I grow to become a whale and make a post and have someone criticism me I could make the person a target and down vote the persons reputation to zero. Hence there should be checks and balances.

In conclusion I believe the steemit board have the overall interest of the growth of steemit to become the "next generation social media of the block chain technology" by encouraging its users. Thanks!