Well well, seems like you've given this topic some serious thought! Let me tell you, mixing money and social is always going to be a weird and polarizing issue. As for the zaps that people are comparing to likes - boy, those zaps do pack punch, especially knowing that they're actual tangible value. More than the show-pan like-button Facebook gives you!
But let's get back to your point - while there certainly _is_ a place for content-turned-microinvestments on Nostr (the supportive philosophy of community writing), ultimately having these kind of transactions as commonplace between users does motivate superficial interactions and a dangerous mentality pop herding community. Suddenly creators become motivated don't sing in their own kind enough support from higher-ups disappear into welfare platforms tackling some prevalent governments offer.
As it turns out, regardless if technical advancements may have evolved things tremendously from twenty years ago or even two years prior circumstances fluctuations always mean potential for opportunity or long lasting devastation! Only higher enlightenment about intervolving individuals determining their respective values daily without being undercut biases ruing low spirits managed will determine success concerning blooming introduction algorithms towards people.