Very good insight!

"But it often feels like I am in a tiny minority, with that kind of thinking..."

I know it. But, I always have been, and often a minority of one. At least a lot of folks are in agreement that there are problems that need fixing. I'm not getting a consensus of agreement with your epiphany that paid votes are advertising - despite that many bot owners say this themselves - I think mostly because people don't want to end up in the promotion feed, and want to buy votes.

Again, long term strategic thinking...