As someone new to the platform I can tell you, regardless of your analysis, that the new user experience is exactly what is stated in the opening paragraph.

I joined, wrote detailed, informative posts, commented, upvoted, followed, replied, everything. I've earned nowhere near $1 while I see shit posts making loads of money with endless bots and such gaming the system. It is hopelessly far from being a rewarding place to contribute. Your stats aside, my experience has been that this is a thoroughly rigged game.