"Steem is like a startup that raises funds from investors to pay their expenses." - since other startups dont do that??

Its a brilliant system which encourages investors to contribute content and to invest their time talent. Its current power structure causes a feedback loop to some degree as users are forced to cater to the taste of Whales like yourself, and its ok for now, but it hurts diversity in the long run. Its a fine line between being just another crypto message boad and being a platform which encourages the exchange of diverse intellectual media across a wide range of subjects. For example, I am currently boycotting all whale posts until I see a shift in power and more diverse content. I would like to see more minnews rise up. You cant be a well-fed whale if the plankton are dying off. Its just science.