mostly benefiting abuse
Mostly implies a majority. I'm not sure that is accurate (nor that it is not). I still see popular (with stakeholders) content being rewarded, which probably (though I can't be sure) isn't primarily on the basis of kickbacks. For example the #2 Trending post right now is something about helping children and the #3 post (with $900 reward; pretty high for these days) is an online art exhibit. These are probably based on some sort of popularity. I don't think these are necessarily all that unusual.
So I do think there is serious leakage to abuse and serious systemic problems, but not necessarily 'mostly'.
Thank you for the heads up about your post about crypto winter. I will look for it.
RE: Voting is a popularity contest