I could always just max out curation rewards by upvoting only things that get big upvotes but that isn’t any fun

That was what ruined the n2, the more votes on a post the more your vote was worth.
Greedy folks gonna greed.™

Curators generally don't take the time to see if they are voting abusers, or not, they just vote things they like.
And, complain loudly when you suggest their actions are harmful to the restivus.

Like I never even planned to make a community until @valued-customer talked to me about them.

Lots of moving parts in the hive.

Lots of retired rich people would love this sort of thing.

IF they could get past the discovery issues.
This is why we need personalities to bring in the folks.

Like I wouldn’t be surprised if people get mad I upvote comments so much.

I vote them to let me know I have dealt with them.
I'm not certain, but the power control freaks seem to have gotten a grip on themselves, it's been a while since I've seen an egregious use of force.
Plenty of non-egregious downvotes, but few based on content or personalities.