I also think many see this as a "money for nothing" scheme, and it's not. A lot of the people who are reaping large rewards have "skin in the game." Lots of little redfish and minnows with stars in their eyes have nothing in the game and still expect to be well compensated for what often amounts to substandard content.

Indeed. Your content has to be exceptional to earn well if you are not friends with a whale. Dtube/utopian can reward like whales and I think this is a good direction to take if it rewards you seek.

Good point regarding the community focused witnesses, I'm trying 😊