'They' say there's an optimum time at which it's better to throw your upvote onto a post but who's got time for that? If I see a post I like, I vote on it.
I understand your point about inflation killing everyone but the whales here, but I'm not sure I quite agree with it.
The option of taking 100% steem on a post has been interesting - it's been brilliant lately, a $34 post raked in $144 for me and my Steem Power is rising at astonishing rates - it's all good!
I didn't come here with the idea this platform was going to make me a millionaire overnight. I'm not that naive, but I do intend to make my living from it -if it lasts.
If it doesn't last and it tanks and dies I've lost nothing but a few hundred $ and though it would be a shame, it won't kill me.

So, now we've established that nobody died, congratulations on what you've achieved and let's make it on to the next stage.
I hope to troll @ned in person at SteemFest - or at least speak to him in person.

We're still in beta and believe me, I've broken things as a beta-tester that the developers didn't believe could be broken.

We may not have caught the Business-Class carriages, but we joined this Steem Train early enough to be in the First-Clas carriages and as it progresses, Steems along and more carriages are added, I think we're going to reap the benefits of joining early.

Steem On! We're as close to the pioneers as is possible to get now. Everyone that joins after will be looking upon us like we looked upon the likes of those you mentioned.
Onward and upward!