Ever since @bozz launched the #fosteraminnow challenge, it was in the back of my mind to find a minnow to foster. But Christmas came along, then I got ill for a few days, and then it was New Year... I did find some interesting minnows, but either they weren't minnowy enough to qualify or they swam away and didn't post any more.
The rules
• Pick a user who has less than 60 or so Reputation and less than 300 or so SP.
• Foster them for two weeks by giving them upvotes and comments on most of their posts.
• Any two of their posts per week you need to give a 100% upvote on.
• Write a post using the #fosteraminnow tag telling who you are fostering and why.
I think initiatives like this are more important than ever, as the crypto bear market and the low value of Steem has decimated the number of active accounts on Steemit.
Breaking away from Bitcoin
It was so heartening this morning to see that while all the cryptocurrencies were falling, taking Bitcoin's lead as usual, Steem was continuing its recent upwards trend, breaking through the $0.40 barrier. Whether this trend will continue is anyone's guess, but if Steem does regain its former value, those who have stayed with it through the tough times will be in the best position to benefit.
And those people who have joined Steemit during the tough times are probably not in it to make a quick buck. The community needs to make them feel welcome, that it's worth their while being active on this platform. It's not just about financial rewards – it's about community engagement, people actually responding to the work you put out, something you don't always get online.
Introducing...
Actually, the minnow I have chosen to foster is getting quite a bit of engagement, because his posts are – in my opinion – brilliant! @longer is an amateur artist, originally from Poland, who would like drawing to be his full-time career. Here's an example of his work:
Source This drawing depicts the artist being woken up by his gleeful children. I love the energetically animated figure of the lad who is pushing the "Dad" lever down. "Mom" has yet to be disturbed.
I only discovered @longer's account a couple of weeks ago, but he's been on Steemit since March 2018. I can't completely adhere to the fosteraminnow rules, because @longer's posts are quite sporadic, and he often apologises for this.
However I don't think there should be pressure for Steemians to post frequently. Some people like to post every day, which is great; others post just once a week or less. When your posts are as high quality as @longer's are, they are certainly worth waiting for.
I think this is yet another argument for a longer payment window. I would love to upvote some of @longer's earlier posts that I missed! These are a couple of my favourites:
https://steemit.com/artzone/@longer/inktober-day-17-swollen-ifjsyb7
https://steemit.com/artzone/@longer/inktober-day-14-clock-1men2spl
Dark humour
I like the humour in @longer's work, and the animation – the characters are caught in a moment of action. Many of @longer's drawings also have a sinister element, with a very dark humour. This is one that I did manage to upvote during the payment window:
I'd describe it as deliciously malevolent.
I also like the detail in @longer's work. In this picture, even the soup has a face.
I sincerely hope that @longer achieves his aim of earning a living from doing what he loves best. And I think it would be fantastic if the blockchain can help him do that.
Main photo source
Posted from my blog with SteemPress : http://ramblingandscrambling.co.uk/steemit/my-pick-for-the-fosteraminnow-challenge/
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Great choice @natubat, I'm still deciding, have a couple of candidates so hope to post soon. Just been hectic here with guests still!
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Thanks @lizelle. There's no hurry really, as there are always great Steemians who deserve more recognition :)
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Nice to see someone else participating in this! Thanks for sharing and I have added @longer to my follow list as well!
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That's great to hear! I hope more people take up this challenge.
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I spend half an hour a day looking for a candidate. (I honestly can't afford any more time than that.) My parameters are a little narrower than yours, and I knew this wouldn't be any walk in the park. So far, it's been every bit as hard as I expected. Every possibility I've selected -- and watched -- has crapped out pretty quickly. But I'll keep at it -- because as I told you in the beginning, this is a terrific project. I just wish it weren't so damn depressing.
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Sorry for all of that. It didn't really pick up like I thought it would anyway, so no worries.
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Oh, I don't think you should be one bit sorry. No kidding @bozz, this is a fabulous idea. If the State of Steem was halfway reasonable, it would be one worth pushing consistently & hard. There are several problems, as I see it -- all of which you probably know all too well.
1.) Most people can't blog their way out of a paper bag. The writing / topics are terrible in ways nobody really can fix. If people can't write decently by the time they get out of school, there's really no way to compensate for it. Unfortunately Steemit is sometimes hyped as a place where you can put your FB-level crap and get paid for it!!! That immediately attracts a lot of problems.
2.) The awfulness of a lot of very well-rewarded content around here leads people who can do a decent job with their creative work to think, "Wow, I can make a killing at this." ---> and as you know, that's patently not true. Too many very capable people pack up and leave -- and that just kills me because we desperately need them ... and yet there's no incentive to stay. Srsly.
3.) Unless you have the financial wherewithal to buy in and thus create your own "influence" ---> or are in tight w/ someone willing to shore you up with his impressive SP / upvote ... you are basically pond scum around here ... and people who have a life / a set of outside commitments / a need to invest their time in something far more profitable ... have no social mobility to help them rise.
Your project ^^^ aims to try to remedy that, I realize. But the people you're talking to don't really have the power to make it happen -- and whales have other things to do with themselves. Again. No incentive.
Presently, the only real way development projects -- or profitable communities -- get traction is by praying for delegation -- and having those prayers answered. And we've seen how unreliable that can be. That's not a rational business plan in any world -- not the Steemit world, nor the real one. And yet, we're once again back to, "What are the alternatives?" Not very inviting. (Any time one person / one powerful investor can pull the plug on your project just because he has indigestion this morning, you've just sold your soul to the Devil and are living on borrowed time.)
And no one with the power to fix this place is interested in doing so. Something to think about.
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Thanks for this post I did promise to join in on this but had forgotten, it is something I will try to remember to do soon, to cold tonight and trying to warm up after a saga today to even think about it
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It's never too late to participate in this challenge :) I might do it again sometime, because there are lots of great minnows out there deserving more attention!
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Yes it’s a great idea and I will for sure take part soon
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Congratulations! This post has been chosen as one of the daily Whistle Stops for The STEEM Engine!
You can see your post's place along the track here: The Daily Whistle Stops, Issue 378 (01/22/19)
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Cool! My #FosterAminnow finished a few days ago.
It was interesting. Got to know a new person on Steemit. She went up a few levels during those 2 weeks. She apparently had some life issues going on though, and hasnt posted in over a week...
I like your choice, Ill head over and check him out!
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Fantastic! I read your post @squishysquid, but unfortunately too late to upvote. I think it was posted at a time when I was recovering from my horrible stomach bug! I hope @selka gets back on Steemit after her break. I think we all need a bit of time out sometimes.
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Thanks for checking it out! :D
Glad youre feeling better now, being sick is the pits!
She seems to be back in business now, so that is encouraging! :)
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Fantastic! I've just read her introduce-me post, which is really interesting.
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Oh. My. God.
A post about me O_O
I can't hide that one of the things that has drawn me to steem was the vision of making some money on the side. But the thing that kept me going here was that unique kind of feedback and appreciation that really inspires me to keep on pushing during those late nights when the kids are finally asleep ;) That kind of feedback that allows me to feel that there are some people out there who believe in me so I must not give up yet :)
Thank you so much @natubat for this feature and for taking the time to read through my personal story :)
If you want a commission drawing from me, I'll be glad :) Maybe just need a little patience.
Cheers
Posted using Partiko Android
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It's an absolute pleasure @longer! I think you have a real talent, and that's one thing I love about Steemit - there are some really talented people on this platform.
Don't even think about giving up! It can take a while to get noticed on Steemit, and to learn how to promote your work through different communities and platforms - there are so many of them here.
I would love to commission a drawing! I'm madly obsessed with mountains, so anything of that nature would be wonderful :) I usually go hillwalking every week, and I also do indoor climbing, but I sprained my ankle a few weeks ago, so I've had to take a rest. But if you need inspiration, here are some links to posts I did a while back about mountaineering (they are mostly photos):
Beinn Alligin
Beinn Eighe
Ben Nevis
The Forcan Ridge
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Oh I am so sorry to have slept on your answer. But now I'm here and will start to think of mountain themed drawing for you, just need a little time. Please be patient :)
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No problem @longer! Take all the time you need :) It's a pleasure to see your drawings whatever the subject.
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