The issue is probably moreso in the quick instant votes than the whales liking your content - value being largely subjective and time bound after all.

I can see how people not on such a botlist would feel slighted or discouraged by such a thing. It seems the reasonable reply would be to tell them to improve, even teach them along the way, so that content as a whole goes up. Still. Being noticed can be half the battle in getting your creations out there. Rough world.