This looks like a really cool community, and I'll definitely give it a look. One of the really hard things about Steemit is the fact that someone can be on the platform for a few months and just skyrocket past someone that's been on for a full year (like me! lol).
There is the feeling that I and others like me are 'doing something wrong' or that the deck is stacked against us. Then again, like you say, you have superior experience (years of it) and are able to leverage your networking, blogging, and statistics skills on the platform to your advantage. And, as you do add more value by bringing those things, do you not deserve to rewarded?
It's a difficult question. I plan on participating a lot more in Discord channels (and even maybe starting my own when I find out how!) and commenting on interesting articles like the ones you write, but I suppose I have only this to say: for most of us minnows the grind is all too real.
Arguments on the platform (that I'm sure your aware of) between powerful users and the bot problem are two major issues on the Steemit that need to be resolved in order to give anyone who currently has under 5,000 SP (let alone under a 1,000) anything resembling a fair shake.
I have faith in the platform, but it's clear that we as a community are going to have to enforce some serious changes, somehow.
Dear @jenkinrocket,
I totally understand your feeling here and I wrote about them few times, the latest of which was yesterday Dr. TLK _ From Steemit Life _ Enter a whale's stomach and get pooped out ... Stinckier :P
I will be happy to hear your comments as well as anyone else who would be kind to visit the post and give it a read.
Indeed it is. But I believe it shouldn't be an issue to be questioned. Not all of us have years of experience or statistical knowledge to leverage the rewards and recognition. That what makes us unique from each other and each of us should be rewarded because we are trying hard to show that uniqueness, not punished because we don't follow the pack rules.
Networking is a key to get noticed, just like real life, but that what makes Steemit a sad place to be. Why should we network for the sake of being acknowledged and noticed by big "Leaders" rather than network for the sake of enjoying other people's company and friendship. There is something wrong with that logic.
We all came here because we are looking for something different than what we see in real life, but unfortunately we found real life playing here again. It is human nature.
I totally agree. Lets make our rules, our friends and our communities that we enjoy. We grow together and support each other regardless of whether we have "leaders" to support us or not. Who made these people "leaders" anyway? Just their money? SP? experience?
Each person is experienced in something in their life, and all of them are valid. Everyone is a leader of some sort and should be respected and acknowledged regardless of their SP. If there are no followers, there wont be any leaders. It is as simple as that.
Sorry! I could go on and on with this. I am just tired of all the politics "Leaders" and "their followers" brought to steemit from real life, so they can fill their feelings of importance and grandiosity.
Thanks to @jenkinrocket for the comment on behalf of minnows and thank you @paulag for writing your post.
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Well said.
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Come for the money, stay for the community
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You're welcome. And thanks for your thoughtful reply.
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From my experience in life, I knew well enough to expect this, so I came to Steemit with no other expectation than to have an opportunity, at least for a while, to post what was on my mind, and to hear what others had to say, while hoping to find good people, and important information, I had not run across before.
Accordingly, I have not been disappointed here.
But, I am one of a slim minority on Steemit that didn't come here to reap financial rewards. I expect to work until I die, and live off what I make bending nails. I came here for free speech.
So far, so good. While there are definitely problems with censorship here, too (see @skeptic's latest post) it is a far better, and more accessible, platform than most.
This is unreasonable. Have faith in yourself, and drive the platform to be what you need it to be, or someone else will do the driving, and your faith in your particular vision, will be in the back seat.
I do not expect to be the driver, and do not have faith in anyone, or anything, because I know all things will fall short of perfection. Sadly, the proliferation of bots, particularly those that sell votes, are obscuring the potential of Steemit to be a social media platform, and are creating a currency mining platform.
While that may be fine for you, that will drive me away. I am only here to connect to people, and when the focus on rewards becomes too overwhelming, I will no longer have a place here. I can but hope, as has happened time and time again, that new platforms will arise that are suitable, until they, in their turn, veer astray, as events, developments, and concentration of power inevitably turn them into something different than they were.
At Steemfest in Lisbon, a Steemer reported hearing that highly influential parties related that 'it is only business. I don't care', in regard to issues facing Steemit. With SMTs in the development loop, Steemit is taking a distant second to their concerns.
Set your expectations accordingly, and enjoy what is.
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well said @jenkinrocket, but let me put something in perspectives. I have been working on Udemy since 2013, it is only the last 18 months that I would call it successful for me. Thats well more than a year of working my ass off to overnight become a success.
I am aware of the arguments and discussions must be had to get a consensus, I hope by providing data I can get the ball rolling. it is also important to remember at this stage, what witnesses we are voting for and why
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A fair point and something I totally get! Most of the 'overnight successes' on Steemit have put in a LOT of effort elsewhere.
In a sense even the bot runners and power users have put in a lot of effort learning code and accruing resources outside the platform to become successful within it.
We begrudge then only because their behavior is harmful to the platform and on the whole short-sighted.
I'm just beginning to really form enough relations and getting to know people on the platform well enough to feel equipped to begin with voting in earnest.
It sort of feels like there's a sorry of pay you take to bring an educated and capable Steemian (Steemizen?): First you just get through the sign up process. Then you learn that it's real and can translate to real money. Then you contribute regularly for a period. Then you begin learning about crypto and realize the significance of the platform.
And, FINALLY, you start knowing people in the community and understanding their projects and attitudes well enough to vote for witnesses.
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its all a learning curve every day is a school day :-)
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I, for one, intend to open up this discussion even further in the week to come
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I would also say it depends on your content and how you spread the word about what you've posted. You can post content but many people do not know about Steem so to get some readership and following you will want to cross promote your content across other platforms.
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