hmm... yeah... I have been contemplating on how I'll continue using these "tools".

and that's how I try to see them... as "tools" allow me to grow some SP and make my posts a bit more visible after release. So I am using these tools as a means to building an audience. It still comes with a foul taste but accept that as a growing pains or something like that.

In the end it wont be a few bucks from automated votes but the real feedback and conversation that will drive me to create more content, or the lack thereof that will make me lose interest.