Having a higher threshold could work in some instances, but there would be even more need to support curation guilds that find users who are contributing to the platform and make sure they earn enough to stay here. There already is a need for massive support in this area. Perhaps you'd consider using your last witness vote for @curie. (No, I don't work with them, but they helped me find confidence on Steemit and I see the good they're doing this platform, so I'll make that suggestion as someone who votes for you as witness.)

I appreciate that you want to combat spam, but also please remember there are people using this platform whose posts might not make much, but to whom 1.5 SBD is equivalent to a month's wage. There are also a lot of people who join and don't have blogging skills yet, or are so overwhelmed with everything there is to learn it takes them a while to make friends.

Thanks for inviting public discussion on this issue, and for all you do to make the steemisphere a better place.