I think it's the love of money that makes trending what it is.
Greedy folks gonna greed.™

IF we keep changing the rules to suit ourselves soon we will have no game to play.
We've already reduced most of the gamification.

50% more reap refers to the fact that nobody really ran their mana down below 50% because it was voting intensive, now they can easily vote it all and only play the game one day in five.

This will increase volatility in the rewards.
While also allowing access to 50% more stake than yesterday.