I could see it if a number of the top earners were actually writing stuff worthy of consideration to have your rewards randomly thrown and distributed into the pool at them but there are many in that group who aren't deserving of any more reward for the meaningless crap they write then they are already getting. It makes no logical sense at all.

The tree thought for a second and then replied carefully, they were inferior, they weren't true to themselves, the wise farmer knew that I was the best and spared me because only a sapling with my work ethic and authenticity could grow into such a mighty tree.

The tree shrugged, you just didn't have the talent for it kid. You doubted yourself. You didn't suck up enough water and minerals and sunshine. You weren't true to yourself.

No, the little guy was true to himself, he was true to the others it's just as with anything in life there's always that one that makes life harder on others and takes more than he should for his own selfish advantage.