So, I read this post and the comment section.

I like @edicted and @yabapmatt's comments about alternatives to redirect that inflation to stakeholders and investors. Somewhere, I think one or a combination of those ideas would be better alternatives. I do prefer the former.

I also note @themarkymark's point about the challenges facing curators, et al. which incentivize the current auto-voting culture.

Point being, there are approaches to make things attractive for most fronts without going for the "no HIVE for you!" route. I'd much rather not going back to downvoting circlejerks on regular basis. It's too much hassle making enemies all the time.