"It just baffles me that they were still getting support from their followers . . " The reason is money

They are not here for photography, literature or to find the best chicken curry or masi goreng recipes.
They're here because their collective asses are hanging out in the corrupt violent societies they have the misfortune to live in - and they want OUT

Steemit may be that way.
Don't expect Hemingway or Helmut Newton content from them. There are much better ways to waste your time than on Steemit trying to find it