Some posts are clearly reaping rewards, especially those who already have a high reputation. There are picture posts with 4-5 lines and a couple of pictures that earn 100+ each time. Same people trending with the same content daily. They know very well why and how they are doing it.
I spend about 2-3 hours a day to write an original post idea and make it at least "worthy". After a year I can safely say that circles matter more than content.
it is what it is though like you said. This is how the outside world works as well.
I'm with you kyriacos, I spend a lot of time on my cigar reviews, and I've been here since last July... I am thankful for the $10-$15 on each, especially since cigars smokers are not a large membership on Steemit, yet.
I think part of it is never ending circle of once one earns a lot on a post, people then autovote them for the curation rewards because they always make money. But they always make money because people vote wanting the curation rewards, never ending circle. It's almost impossible to lose those auto votes regardless of content quality.