I think we are debating volume of success, clearly you can make something on Steemit with not too much effort. Of course a person has to put something in to get something out, but keeping in mind all the hours most people spend on traditional social media, posting photos of life and commenting on one another's posts, if they put that effort into Steemit, facilitating conversation, growing community, I believe deeply they would be rewarded with SOME upvotes, and therefore some income.

To show my point, I upvote people on Steemit with no Steempower, I dont even ask myself how much SP they have, probably same with you both, so clearly we are proving that people can make some money on steemit without buying steem.

But if you are asking me, "do you think you can become rich on Steemit without buying steem?", my answer is firm no, with a only the smallest hint of maybe, cause one in a million might make it work.

But my sales pitch of Steemit is not now and never has been, "join today, get rich for free". My sales pitch is has always been, "join today, do what you love doing on social media already, and if you are sincere, genuine and putting out interesting content you will earn something, which is a LOT more than nothing."

In conclusion, when you say "most must invest to earn", I agree and disagree at the same time. Depends what you mean on "earn", do you mean "make a living?", then yes I agree. Do you mean, "earn $0.10 USD per day?", if so then I strongly disagree. To have a modicum of success on Steemit I really believe this: all you have to do is write posts and comments with earnest effort behind them, and then your sincerity and thoughtfulness will come through and some upvotes will as well.

The question really is, can one earn enough money on steemit, for free, that will change your life? And to that question, you have to first answer, how much money will change your life?