You're making some great points here. I also have a particular unease with the voting bot system. Albeit, I'm reading up on it understand it more, and to potential use it. If it is the difference between success and failure, that seems like a new brainer choice, right? But at the same time, it doesn't seem 100% inline with the spirit of Steemit.
I think you mean to say "Is Steemit Pay-to-Win"! There are video games out there that you can play for free, but you really need to pay money to get the best items and advantages to win consistently. There is a bit of that involved in Steemit.
I have put some of my own money into the platform and I have withdrawn nothing (including the rewards from a Curie vote) in order to be more valuable on Steemit. In that way, I have had to "pay-to-win" a bit.
I think you are asking some important questions here. I love the community aspects and the friendships that emerge from Steemit, and today is one of those days that I wish it could just be about the people and not the bots.
All the best,
@ChrisMcCron
Honestly I think this post has tipped me even further in favour of not paying for votes. I just don't think I agree with it and what it does to the platform, regardless of motive.
It's interesting, finding out how to promote yourself on a platform like this, but it's certainly not dull!
I can't help but feel the bots will die out, or become as useless as instagram bots at least. It might be the way to make a quick buck but it's not the way if you're thinking long term. In my opinion at least!
I have a niggling suspicion that you are right. It does seem motivated by short term gain.