I think you may be too focused on the negative and not enough on the positive. There are plenty of users like me who have used dMania to share actual memes with original content.
If you want to build the future, continue dMania and, instead of limiting rewards, expand them.
There is nothing wrong with expanding rewards to attract new users that may not have to do with bot-manipulated metrics.
In addition, I think your model of rewarding those who delegate Steem power is brilliant and is a strong backbone to stirring interest in new platform interfaces.
Don't give up! Think of new integrations/expansions instead of limitations.
If you think small-minded, you'll only see the negative.
Go bigger. ＼(≧▽≦)／
Nicely said, I wish also that he changes his mind and proves that he can surpass this problem. And I'm not joking here. We all have tough times in life and make the wrong decisions at some point, but how we react to them is what defines us.