I've read a few times already a very special post written by @luzcypher regarding his self voting habits or more accurately, the lack of them. In my opinion a must read for anyone who ever wants to be an effective leader in a Steem Community. The idea behind his decision might be layered with technicalities dictated by software protocols, written in a language that may not be familiar to anyone who does not participate of our platform, but in a way, everyone has the capability of understanding what he's talking about, if we just use a different name: Gift economy.

From the Wikipedia Page

A gift economy, gift culture, or gift exchange is a mode of exchange where valuables are not traded or sold, but rather given without an explicit agreement for immediate or future rewards. This contrasts with a barter economy or a market economy, where goods and services are primarily exchanged for value received. Social norms and custom govern gift exchange. Gifts are not given in an explicit exchange of goods or services for money or some other commodity.

Does Steem really work like this?

I'm aware that much of my experience on this platform is anecdotal. The value it may hold, the tips/tricks I can share may work for some people and may not for others. I do believe however we can all agree on some basic things about our platform, starting with the importance of building relationships.

An economy based on the context of relationships might sound a little too Utopian for those who enjoy shades of cynicism, but I happen to think that our virtual home does have this element built into its cogs. If this was intentional or not when it was designed may be a long conversation for another day, but to me the rise and proliferation of communities is sufficient proof of this fact.

Healthy Reciprocity

I'm choosing to add the word Healthy because its important to make this nuanced distinction. The reason why I chose to support someone has to be good, that user has to be someone who in my view is acting in an ethical manner, adding value to themselves by adding value to others.

This might be my favorite Zen paragraph that @luzcypher wrote:

Reciprocity is a curious thing. Being the first to give does not guarantee people will return the gesture, but being consistent with your support will eventually get noticed and attracts genuine support from others.

If you don't read it with careful intent you might miss the most important word in the whole paragraph: Guarantee

This might the reason why many who attempt this path struggle to do so, because they begin participating of the gift economy with a self imposed expectation. To give some examples of what I mean, to be more specific, let me attempt a short list:

• I always upvote @ungrateful user, He never upvotes me back.
• I think I've resteemed 2 posts of @ingratedude , he never resteemed one of mine.
• I stopped commenting on @snobdoucher's post, he never answers my questions.

I think my point becomes apparent, its obvious that the person with expectations acted with "kindness" with a condition of reciprocity, and that can't be what a healthy gift economy is all about.

The right Ethos

Is probably a combination of two systems, two economies. One that incentivizes users to bring value to other users of the platform, to curate, to spread their voting power around and not vote on themselves, to clean the platform with flags (those are needed too), etc, While also supporting a bartering economy that becomes fertile ground for entrepreneurship and commerce.

I must admit that writing that last paragraph was more difficult than I imagined, not because I was lacking words, but because of how complicated the mission seems to be. We are literally re-writing the book as we go. I guess time will tell and I'll look back at this post, at this somewhat confused thoughts wondering "What the hell was I thinking?".

Other posts by yours truly

_{• Our tiny pineapples
• Different puppets, same stupid game
• Some thoughts on our peaceful Revolution - Communities
• A tiny cardinal
• 2000 Follower Celebration Contest Results - Unicorn Galore Exposition Bonanza Palooza Event}