You probably dont want to hear this, but after my initial excitement and euphoria Im starting to come down to earth with a bang.
Being on Steemit for a few weeks, the platform tugs at your morals and the temptation to go one way or another due to its 'open' way is judged by others and you really cant please everyone.
Should I upvote my own posts? Listen to some of the popular YouTube's and they say 'Yes', but dont upvote your own comments they say. Others disagree and call it greed, but is it really greed when your own upvote is worth $0.05?
Should I use a BOT to upvote my own article, hoping it will get into the 'Hot' section? It really doesnt get you any new followers, I have seen that. But it does move your SBD's back into the system to be paid out again in another 7 days. It also increases your reputation.
Reputation doesnt matter? SP matters, but people are likely to look at a (75) post than a (25) post.
Do you go with one crowd or another who have the same beliefs?
Is this why Steem is now in decline? It does seem to me that users who got in 'early' do have a massive advantage and new people have a huge mountain to climb. Maybe many new people stick around for a few weeks and then get out.
Im one to voice my opinion, so Im sorry if this is not what you want to hear. Its just how I feel about how Steemit is now. I dont feel this is a negative post, more a constructive one. I love the idea of this and it still intoxicates me, but the gloss is wearing thin.
I have exactly same feelings as you. Imo there is no point in curating new posts when almost everyone is using bots now and trending is full of trash.
More bots > less curators > more trash posts > no readers.
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Not everyone buys votes, even if it means not trending. I ignore most of the top earners as they are not interesting to me. I support others who are. I have enough sp to at least give them a few cents and that's still better than nothing. Some of us believe in the potential of this platform and are not just after a quick buck.
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I think this is a long debate and whale wars stuff, but I just cant keep this in. Are these forks going to do something about it? There's so many things you can do, some are right, some are wrong, but it depends whos the judge.
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There are no rules, so you have to decide on what is right to you. You may get judged by others. It's all a big experiment
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Your points are valid. It can seem exclusive to me users. I'm not totally against new users getting rewards however they can, but the platform is supposed to be about good content and not just a money machine.
I think some good communities are forming around various topics. They make it fun to be here. People happily use other sites for no reward, so why wouldn't they do the same here? The issue may be that steemit is too small to form a critical mass.
There is supposed to be a proper community feature coming, as well as smoother signup. Those may help, but it's a case of whether the team can deliver.
You have to decide if steemit is worth your time. That is the most precious thing for many.
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I see many of the 'big' posters with figures over $100, and Im thinking wow..., who wouldnt? but it's just not real.
If you look at the top voter or 'voters' its one or many BOTS. This creates a false impression to a new user like myself. These people are just putting their SPD into BOTS to create an impression or get on the 'Trending' page. Is this wrong, is this right? I really dont know. What I do know is that is the way it is.
I see people on here, voting their own posts but ignoring your comments and they can do it 'because its available to them'. Is this right and they way it was intended? I dont want to say 'hey why are you doing that', I dont feel I have been on here long enough to throw my weight about.
Is this platform 'too open' for its own good?
If I can address some one of your points:
'People happily use other sites for no reward, so why wouldn't they do the same here? '
But its not the same, this is for good content, not FB posts of showing off your food or beer. I read matsskol's article about content, and that you should go for 300 words min. I try to do that, and it takes some effort.
Steve, I have seen the effort and time you put into Steemit; Would you really put all this effort in if this was Facebook and there was nothing to be gained? I know your one of the good guys here, nobody has given me more attention that yourself, but after investing quite a chunk of fiat into this Im now wondering if I have done the right thing.
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For me, it is about deciding why I want to be here.
I was looking for a blogging platform, I was interested in learning more about the blockchain and cryptocurrencies, I heard about steemit from a friend and I thought it was worth investigating.
I did a masters in new media and society so I'm quite interested in how people behave, how they form communities and relate to each other online - and how we all get thrown off track by the (apparent) rewards.
I was interested to find, as part of my studies, that humans are biologically programmed to take turns and collaborate - must be part of our survival mechanism - and that's one of the reasons that we get put out when someone 'cheats'. I'm not bothered about bots and self-voting and buying votes because in life generally there will always be people richer and sharper than me, so I don't engage with that.
If someone behaves poorly around me, generally by putting a me too comment on my post, contributing nothing to the discussion and voting for their own inane comment but not my post or anyone else in the discussion, then I will reply " can I just check what you've done here?" because to me that's a bit rude, like a drunk coming and sitting at your table uninvited and taking over the conversation.
Time is an issue and each of us needs to decide how we want to spend our time and is this worth it - to us. It has a lot in common with a small business, people always underestimate how long it is going to take them to breakeven and start earning a living (three years on average).
But I think the fun element is also important. Are you enjoying being here, writing, interacting with others, reading. How I feel about it changes and I'm looking forward to #steemcampuk in a week or so to discuss some of these things.
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@shanibeer, Im finding it quite hard to find people with the same interests as myself. I am following just 64, but only a handful of those share my interests and so get my attention. You have to really sift through all the mass of 'stuff' to find a blogger that has something to say. Im still looking for more.
Im getting back into Running now, or trying so Ill keep up my running stories. Im not done with Steemit, Im just in a down phase and I tend to be quite tenacious about things when they grip me.
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👍
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I probably wouldn't bother if there were no rewards, but then I'm not taking as much as I could. I think others have a lot more to gain and I want them to have that chance.
Having a totally open platform is an experiment in whether anarchy works. I know a lot of people here are into that. In theory the community should moderate, but if you have enough sp you can do what you like.
I'd like to see the trending pages excluding paid and self votes from counting,but I doubt this will happen.
I enjoy conversations like this one, so that helps keep me around. I'm making some nice money, but the current rate is not life-changing. If steem goes up again I may be able to treat myself again. Depends on finding convenient ways to withdraw it.
I play with social media for fun, but my time is limited. I liked the idea of steemit from the start and I'm glad I stuck with it. Note that I made cents in the early months.
BTW if you see what people pay for votes they may not make a huge profit. I hope the price recovers enough so you at least can get your money back.
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'I'd like to see the trending pages excluding paid and self votes from counting,but I doubt this will happen.'
Now that would be a great idea. Am I right in saying its the witnesses who dictate such choices? If so, it wont happen.
Thanks for clearing up that fact that this is in fact, anarchy. 'You can do what you want if you are powerful enough'. For some reason I'm thinking, 'The Great Dalmuti'.
'I hope the price recovers enough so you at least can get your money back.'
Im not saying Im out, just disillusioned. My expectations I guess are too high short term.
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What happens to the Steemit site depends on Steemit Inc. Witnesses decide on blockchain issues. Another site could use different algorithms. I've heard from someone who is actually working on feed filters
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