Stakeholders are voting for these because they believe they are a better use of reward funds than much of the mediocre to crappy content.

Sure. I'm with people using their stake in any way that doesn't hurt the system. While the project itself is good for STEEM the visuals aren't and as any major company will tell you, it's all about the visuals. It all about the perception of what you are doing regardless of it being right or wrong.

I'm glad that a few people are taking a look at it and hopefully there is a better way to achieve the same outcome. Even the comments section is a good way to spread the votes and keep the main post at a reasonable level.