But honestly, having connections does make a different. You must know people, interact with them and that's when you would start getting more engagement on your post.

Then upvoting will now be base on how well you know people rather than the quality of content you write while those with fine and quality post who do not know anyone will not get upvote.

how then do you think newly introduced member will benefit from the community? i mean those that do not know who to approach or do not have connection but are very creative?