Great analysis and wonderful to see gradual progress occurring in stake distribution.
Everyone in lower levels who want to see changes in the platform need to be active, so as not to relinquish what voting power they do have, and power up as much as possible to steer the course.
The only way people can profit from any abuse of the rewards pool is by cashing out. And in doing so they lose ground on more dedicated accounts beneath them.
SMTs & communities could really change all of these dynamics as we all may be moving tokens into custom areas we care about most. As the ocean fragments into many small ponds, many more users may have some opportunities at early investment and whale like status within the niches of their choosing.