SteemMag – Steemit’s Weekend Digest #18: Of Economic Growth and User Engagement – Chats With The Author Behind Steemit Book Club... Steemit Highest-Ranked Commenter.. Meeting The Man Behind SteemBux and Havin … and lots more

I’m highly delighted to welcome you guys to yet another edition of SteemMag, (the eighteenth edition), a weekend digest for Steemians.

In honor of last week’s amazing SteemFest, I decided to skip an edition. And it's nice to be back again.
Every week, I take a look at some of the most important topics and have a chat with top Steemians who have expert views on such topics.

In case you missed it, here are links to Issue #1 , #2 , #3 , #4 , 5 , #6, #7 , #8, #9, #10, #11, #12 , #13, #14, #15, 16 and #17
From the conclusion of SteemFest, user engagement suggestions to various discussions on proposals made by @steemitblog, this week has been a pretty eventful one on Steemit.

In page 1:
SteemMag reached out to @neilstrauss – an award winning Author and a speaker at Steemfest. He’s also the brain behind Steemit’s First ever Book Club.
I also reached out to @mindhunter – the highest ranking Steemian based on Posts count. He makes more comments than even a bot!

In Page 2:
SteemMag had a chat with @williambanks- the developer behind Havin and SteemBux.
I also reached out to a number of Steemians for the Steemians Speak Feature.

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A Chat with @neilstrauss

SteemMag:
What attracted you the most about Steemit?

@neilstrauss:
Conceptually, I'm attracted by the disruption that Steemit is: not just to social media and the financial system, but to journalism and publishing. Emotionally, I've stayed because of the excitement, supportiveness, self-organization, and interest-diversity of the community.

SM:
What inspired you to start the Steemit Book Club?

@neilstrauss:
It grew out of my IntroduceYourself post. For some reason, I ended up writing most of it about my favorite book, James Joyce's fiendishly difficult Ulysses, which inspired me to write. I mentioned in passing the idea of reading it all together, and there was such interest afterward, I realized that we could create a new kind of book club: Where members are incentivized to tackle and complete more difficult works by getting to share the rewards from the Steemit Book Club posts afterward.

One of the biggest problems I've seen with people trying to pursue their passions and interests is that many don't finish what they start. It's too easy to get distracted, get swept up in a newer interest, self-sabotage, manage time poorly, or give up when something gets tough. So this is a good microcosm for incentivizing that.

SM:
How has it been running the premier Book Club on Steemit?

@neilstrauss:
It has been beyond exciting. First, there's the fun of sharing a passion, and in the future getting to enjoy others presenting their favorite books. Second, there's the high level of discussion and insight from Steemians. And then, there's the excitement of moving these online relationships into more personal, direct interaction--whether on the phone with the Steemit Book Club or in person at Steemfest here in Amsterdam (where I'm writing this from).

I want to thank @the-alien for setting up the book club chat channel, arranging the weekly calls, writing many of the posts, and being the heart and soul of this.

For everyone else, it's not too late to join us for Ulysses or for future books here https://steemit.chat/channel/steemit-book-club

SM:
Steemit is currently undergoing some changes. What has been your favorite moment so far? And what changes would you like to see more on Steemit?

@neilstrauss:
My favorite moment is always the present moment, in whatever I'm doing. And the change that I'd like to see is...a Save as Drafts feature. I mentioned this to Team Steem here, and it looks like it's a priority.

SM:
Where do you see Steemit in the next 6 months?

@neilstrauss:
It's very tempting for users, especially those of us who are most engaged in Steemit, to create a vision of what we would like it, or anything, to become. Often, this leads to disappointment, resentment, or negative control if it starts heading in another direction. So rather than imposing my will or desires on Steemit, I'd like to see it evolve on its own and I'll support it in whatever direction it takes

P.S
Want to join the Book Club?
Details:
Every Monday
Time: 6 p.m. PST / 9 p.m. EST / 2 a.m. GMT / 11 a.m. (Tuesday) UTC
Phone: (800) 719-6100 or (218) 339-7800, access code 629-1831#
Web audio link (and location for international call-in
numbers): https://hello.freeconference.com/conf/call/6291831
Or Drop by #steemit-book-club Steemit.chat channel for more info :)

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Thanks @neilstrauss for taking the time to have a chat with SteemMag. I look forward to even more exciting initiatives from you.. Any chance having a Steemit-inspired Book? ;)

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A Chat with @mindhunter - The Highest Ranked Steemit Commenter

SteemMag:
When and How did you discover Steemit?

@mindhunter
I discovered Steemit when it suddenly appeared on the crypto-market caps around #5 in July/August time. This was the first time I'd seen a crypto-coin linked to something other than speculation, and my ears pricked up immediately at this point :)

I really thought we had a killer app here for a crypto-coin and started blogging on Steemit in late July.

SM:
As the highest ranked commenter on Steemit, what motivates you to engage writers on their posts?

@mindhunter
To help them try to be the best writers that they can possibly be. Quality does tell quite quickly on Steemit, and your reputation can rise quickly if you can write the basics well.

I try to encourage other writers with their funnies, aid the minnows in their quest for Steemit knowledge and try to keep the regulars happy too.

Sometimes I'll send some Steem to a user if they've done something extra special whether their a minnow or whale. For example, yesterday I send @smooth some Steem for his excellent FUD fighting skills!

SM:
Who are your favorite authors and what has been the most exciting reply you've gotten?

@mindhunter
I think the best writer on here is @ericvancewalton, though I'm big a fan of @krnel @radioactivities @pfunk and @charlieshrem.

I like how @charlieshrem throws his heart at Steemit like some kind of catharsis. I can tell Steemit has made him a better man ... same for me too.

The most exciting replies I get are those from @radioactivities - I think she's the best commenter on Steemit, and was one of the first minnow friends I made on Steemit. Follow her today!

SM:
What's your opinion on the recent curie announcement to reward comments?

@mindhunter
Some of the best writings I've seen on Steemit have been in the comments section - they've blown me away! (and not the post writing itself), so this definitely deserves its rewards too.

SM:
Which features do you feel will encourage better user retention and interaction in Steemit?

@mindhunter
I'd love to see private messaging on Steemit within the platform, and not external to it.

I'd also love to see the Promoted section done away with and create a new CEO/Devs tab that informs all users of recent hard forks / news etc.

There is a lot of empathy and love on Steemit that is lacking in the real world. People find that a comfort here, hence can learn things they might not learn in the bigger world.

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Thanks @mindhunter . Its amazing that you find the time to interact with several posts every day. Thanks for making Steemit a nice place to share one's views.

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Check out page 2 for more exclusive chats and This Week On Steemit

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