https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sybil_attack

It's much the problem that's present and dysfunctional currently in the world.

Many have tried to solve it, but usually just end up creating more dysfunction. Steem, being a decentralized permissionless blockchain needs a solution for sybil attacks, and that solution is to bring stake (with value) into the equation. If you can think of something better, by all means propose it. It's only slightly less difficult than a perpetual motion machine.

If you're unsure about the reasons for stake in STEEM Power being the measure of influence here, please read the Steem whitepaper. It's outdated in many aspects unfortunately, but it still explains the need for STEEM Power to be the measure of influence in Steem.