I am guessing I am the Australian but I wouldn't mind being a naked Nordic girl ;D

When it comes to the creator/ consumer dynamic it is a difficult one Steem because most people obviously do end up here because of the rewards. But, there also has to be some common sense applied as it can't possibly be that everyone gets rewarded, even if content quality (whatever one considers as that) is good. There are just not enough consumers or demand on the coin for consistency as you rightly said, the price of Steem has stayed low, and much lower than when most people joined. 

For the wanting earner here, this is a platform of looking long as that is really the only way one is able to build the foundation (follower/ Steem) necessary for any kind of consistency. then, even that consistency is not going to be very consistent. In the last week I have an 80 dollar post and a few one and two dollar posts. I am grateful for both as I know that regardless of the effort put in or the value they might bring, I am not in the position currently to buy a lot of Steem with Fiat so, every Steem counts. I don't care about the fiat value of Steem because, I am looking long - Later when Steem is where I think it will go., I will start caring a little more as I will be able to distribute a fair amount to people and I will likely have to set some auto voters or trails. 

I had part of a delegation removed so I have changed my voting behavior also and have upped the percentage I give to comments. The reason is that a lot of the people who comment on my posts are my followers, which are generally other long-term players. On top of this, they are also consumers of content and I want to encourage that side of it too as that is where the future will be. This is also why I try to reply well to most of those who comment. 

On Steem, there is a level of economic entitlement that takes root very fast and a lot of it seems to think that others should willingly provide benefit regardless of what is offered or, what else is offered. Someone the other day complained that when they were in need I didn't send them Steem but I talk about charity. What they don't know is who else I do help here - entitlement - they think they are the only one deserving and that my wallet is an endless pit. 

As I see it though, in time there will be an increasingly precise balance found as the platform and the users upon it mature to the paradigm shift that is happening. There will always be high, low and no earners however because, no two people are created equal and skill, market preference and effort in as well as many other factors will play a role. 

There is a future here for those willing to rough it in the present.