I also see the struggle, but I do believe in the platforms potential. The point of this platform is not to make money, as you said it, its social media. Do you make any pennies at all from any other social media site?
I think we should encourage the community to be more giving, and also our posts should only get credit where its due, and sometimes that many not occur and it can be frustrating but I still think if we appeal to this crowd (as people here might not possess the same mentality as on other social media platforms). There is still hope. Dont give up
RE: Why Steemit will never be Mainstream