As a newcomer to Steem, I think I get what you're saying. The only thing that doesn't feel good to me about this scenario is that instead of posting content on my passions and interests, it causes me to focus more on trying to write something that I think the whales might be interested in... and that's not why I create content.
I came to Steemit to post quality content about topics that I'm passionate about: nerd-culture, filmmaking, and small business. If it all becomes a soulless bot game, I guess I'll just lose. I've gotta be true to myself.
(I'm aware that I may be so new that I didn't really grasp the reality of the theories you were posing, so if I am mistaken/confused, I welcome being told so.)
In his model the whales don't really care what they vote on, they're just trying to maximize their rewards. The money at stake is large enough that personal preferences of whales fall by the wayside and instead they will be forced to serve the market by the need to stay competitive in return-on-investment. (In fact some whales may -- even today, but certainly in the future -- be businesses or collaborations that don't even have individual personal preferences.)If the minnows and dolphins vote on what they they like, the whales will follow.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit