yes if you look at some of profiles that get the major votes and $$$. and trace their wallets you will see some gifts of over 10,000 worth of steem ect. I think the owners/operators and some investors are moving this currency back and forth to accounts and posts to make it look like its a viable and active currency. I now believe the posts that make 1,000 dollars and up are dummy accounts or investor accounts ect. And all of us mules they pay pennies if we are lucky to help drive the site and build traffic, so what is steem really worth? What ever you make it look like I suppose. its all a illusion :)