Engagment is low as more and more people see that engagement will not get u far (in a shorter term period). Too much time invested for almost nothing.
Small users follow big ones. Big ones are not around engaging except on other whale posts. Result of that is people not engaging as before and they will not engage unless they see the leaders doing it.
It is way better to create some small circle jerk or use autovote service than engage on other posts. Sadly.
BTW I hope I will see a lot of changes in this segment as I also want to go back engaging and reading a lot of posts per day. But, I believe change must come from the top.
Some of them used the system to gain enormous amount of Steem so it would be great from them to give back a bit more than what they think is enough.
Peace yo,
Mr. Spacely
If you are looking at value on comments votes then yes, but what is the value if you attract accounts to your blog - could be a lot over time.
I think we have to assume stakeholders will not comment much. I think you need to find a group of like-minded people are ride the Hive with them.
I think everyone is overthinking everything...
Yes, engagement can be tiring and takes time, but we really don't have to do it alll the time for it to be effective. I'm sure more would help, but even little engagement has effect.
I personally think we are missing the good old contests from back in the days. Contests always brought various people together, regardless of vote value.