I believe most users on steemit have abandoned their Facebook account because of the rewards steemit offers, if only we all can see this platform just like Facebook and other social media and try passing information for fun too,
Somethings steemit seems to be boring because the most people and friends aren't really here just because they dont understand how the platform really works, and in some cases many are just ignorant.
Your very right about the challenges most minnows face due to flagin and stuffs but every platform have got rules too and it helps alot,
I just believe its just a matter of time lots and lost of different things will definitely arise on the steemit platform to make it attractive for those yet to join.