Excellent high quality post and a very relevant topic. It seems that if bots were somehow banned, that we would have a genuine community without manipulation. We were introduced last week by jerry banfield to the games the top authors are playing to achieve their position and payouts. I hate gaming of systems to benefit the few who are bent to grab more than they would have otherwise earned. So if people can game this much, how much more will bots be able to game since they can work 24/7 and without much of a cost. My fear is the effect of manipulation wherever it comes from. upvoted and resteemed.