I read your post. I didn't know others were making a similar observation as me with this post. I'm glad I'm not the only one who knows what paid programming is.

Put simply: rather than attempting to stir the shit pot, I'm calling a spade a spade. I don't need to single anyone out. I used two current examples of posts simply because those were at the top at the time. I could have picked a different day and mentioned different posts and still be able to point out the same thing. This wasn't the first time I saw an advertisement up there.

To be clear, I am not here today to judge the quality of content within any post on the trending page past, present or future nor am I questioning the integrity of any author.

That's an important line from my post and I meant it. I don't need to point fingers and place blame. I'm addressing this issue as fairly and professionally as required to draw the right eyes here so they can move forward with this information and hopefully push for change.

I could prank Steemit, make us all look silly, and it would only cost me a few bucks.

Another important line from my post. Nobody is controlling me. All of that SP isn't stopping me from going nuts and placing the raunchiest bit comedic genius at the top of trending. I could easily buy my way there. Would that make me funny by default? My post is at the top, so it must be funny, right? No. Would they flag it? Most likely not because it would be art and I hope they've learned their lesson about what happens when art gets flagged.

Imagine two equally famous celebrities. They both pull up in their limos. They both step out at the same time. The paparazzi ignores one completely. Does that make the celebrity getting attention more famous? No. The prick paid the paparazzi in advance and didn't tell anyone. The other celebrity never recovered.

If I buy a vote, that is like me going out to purchase the best looking bowling trophy I can find. I've never bowled but the new trophy I'm constantly polishing says, "Best Bowler in the World." Someone might want to see me bowl someday. Then what? The jigs up. I faked it.

Fame, paid for. They should probably realize what they're doing before buying those votes and at least have the decency to tell everyone.

Who controls what doesn't matter in this instance. They're not controlling me, I'm controlling me.

With all due respect, you post is full of insults. I don't see how a post like that is supposed create awareness or even change anything.

This post here isn't a debate about what you want to talk about either. Keep that in mind.