I'm not sure, maybe instead of focusing on fringe cases, weird success stories, just focus your energy on what you do best and share it with others? Create an audience by staying true to your interests? I was VERY pissed and frustrated 3 days ago myself. Not because of the money I didn't earn, for I haven't made a proper post yet but because I was judging the low quality of what was making money. Today I'm finally coming across really neat stuff, content that speaks to me, probably cool people that I might actually learn stuff from, or network at some point outside of steemit who knows.. so steem has the potential to be more than just monetary source for me.. Which motivates me more to be honest. (not saying I don't care about the economic premise) Maybe those people/posts I personally like don't make (or haven't yet or never will, doesn't matter) 30k or 15k a post BUT they do/can make a few 100 to a thousand maybe more at times and most importantly (in my opinion) they add to the quality (in my definition).. I do return my appreciation (or try to do it) by taking the time to comment honestly. For if i ever share something I'd like to see that back. Eventually if I have enough steem power I might be able to add monetary value their posts as well and maybe vice versa... I guess it's all about motivation. If you can find a way to actually enjoy the process of making the content to share here, the outcome will be appreciated.. If you are not enjoying the content you are sharing yourself, and doing it just as a 'job', you might get frustrated more if you don't see 'any return'.. but that will probably be because the stuff you are making will not be 'true to yourself' in the first place.. o maybe I'm naive I dunno, time will tell.. =)