"The overwhelming majority make less-than-break-even for the electricity they pay to run their computer(s)."

Agreed! So what's the point? Is this whole Steemit thing really worth it, or are we all just wasting our time putting that $500 per month (or whatever) in the hands of those who really have no respect for the rest of us. Only a fool would do that. I think it's time to shut down Steemit for what it really is...a ponzi scheme.

"I'm just pointing out that even those at the TOP aren't exactly "rollin' in it"."

Point taken! But let's not forget that there are countries in the world where $500 a month would be considered a lot of money.

But regardless of how money is earned or allocated, one of the other main problems with Steemit is the fact that there is almost no original content posted. The vast majority of it is simply copied and pasted from somewhere else on the Internet.