Dude, I used to make exclusive video content for Steem. Unfortunately, you and your buddies don't want me to push it up the Trending page anymore. And suddenly, Youtube with its much larger reach has begun to look attractive to me...

I don't know what kind of content you created on YT that people were "forced" (interesting turn of phrase) to follow you here, but I'm happy it worked out for you. From my point of view, as an older guy who started out with video only two-odd years ago, the Steem has developed mostly into a huge waste of time. Lately, it makes more sense to concentrate on working YT and the other social media with more reach, and - at best - embed the content here for some tip money.

To paraphrase your original premise, one of the biggest ways to drive more creators away from the Steem is, to bully them with downvotes, for the crime of wanting their stuff to be seen. One of the biggest ways to get real shitty publicity is, to have those disgruntled ex-Steemians run their mouth about their experience here on the other platforms. The entire reward pool isn't big enough to "sponsor" away the damage you guys have done with your downvote bullying.

I'm not here to argue, so save yourself the trouble of a finely reasoned reply. I just wanted to let you know how I feel. I went from the biggest Steem cheerleader to "don't care anymore", I'm powering down, and I'm outta here. I'm just glad I had the foresight to experience Steem as a minnow before plunking down any significant portion of my life savings as an investor. Coming to think of it, the publicity fallout from #newsteem is a turnoff for potential investors, too. Good job.