I see that you received several answers on the upcoming fix to payouts that will allow one to not powerdown or buy more to pay fees in the coming HF. Now I wish to address the other part regarding community interaction.
I noticed when I first started on Steemit that more often than not, without fees there was little interaction on a majority of posts unless they were popular in a community, or held large stake and folks were putting in the effort in an attempt to garner a large vote. In my opinion those who were fishing for votes were fake and I tended not to usually view them as ones I wanted in my community.
This was further exacerbated as folks used bots to target known posts that would command large rewards, never even reading or viewing what was offered. Once again, simply seeking the best return by autovoting to seek the best voting reward curve by leeching onto other votes coming behind them.
Two mistakes I saw (and continue seeing) immediately when I joined Steemit. Most coming don't know anyone, or maybe one or two. In the many posts being made (its not so bad here YET) ones post will quickly disappear into a sea of other posts coming behind theirs. This highlights the need to get out in the community, introducing yourself. By this, I mean finding real areas of interest to you, not that fake fishing for high votes crap. Comment, share from your heart. Others of like mind will perhaps become engaged with interest in this sharing of oneself. Not only the author, but others who enjoy that authors post and enjoy comment sections as so many of us do.
The second problem I see is because this system is unique in its ability to reward for interaction, many make the mistake of viewing it first and foremost as a wealth extraction tool. This merchant mentality has greatly hindered the experiment so far with Steem and Hive. It becomes an impediment to the actual socializing part. The merchant view of what's in it for me gripping so many users. Notice on non reward social systems like Reddit there is not only no reward, but people will actually pay USD to give fake internet awards to users whose posts are appreciated. Not only are they not conducting themselves like a merchant, they wish to pay to give a symbol of appreciation to the authors.
I see it like this. If you post something that hits my heart or interest, you are worth the cost to further the exchange you began with me in your initial post. You are worth it, and the fee as an impediment to spam makes it worth it as well. I can remember on Steemit having one whale in particular spam the nastiest crap on my blogs in the comment section because he was targeting people commenting as he downvoted their rewards to nothing. Here, he would pay through the nose for that crap before being ushered to the door.
To sum up, actions are the true barometer of intent. Paying to engage with another is the ultimate gesture one can make to another to say
What an awesome compliment another can make to us, this gesture knowing they paid for the opportunity to interact. And to let you know, this lengthy gesture with you I make with thanks for your topic will cost me .839 Blurt.
That's my two cents anyway. :)