two things can be true:

1. many farcaster users feel as though a 'FC Cabal' is favored at the client level, and enjoy permanent, outsized benefits from being active, early  

2. its totally possible to join Farcaster and grow an account from 0. I joined on Feb. 5th and my account is in the top 300 users by engagement according to most dashboards I've checked. You have to post & reply consistently, and it really helps to have something to say.

harder for newer accounts here (no powerbadge) only possible if he knows a lot of powerbadge holders on here for boost

certainly, which is why I think its a valid perception that people have 

but the powerbadge isn't going anywhere, so engaging with active people on here is the best way to approach growing on the network