It does cost people "something". They have to authenticate with their Facebook or Reddit account, solve captchas, etc. I do think paying for an account instead with Bitcoin/altcoins should be an option though - many cryptocurrency enthusiasts would prefer this over authenticating with their social accounts (which they may not even have). One member of the local Blockchain Meetup group got irate when he found out you have to use Facebook or Reddit to get an account and swore he'd never use Steemit for this reason. I know ANONSTEEM exists and is great but new users won't figure that out.
Anyway, regarding the cost of a new account from the faucet - is this the @steemit account with the four million steem burning a hole in its pocket? http://steemwhales.com/