I was glad to see it this morning. Til I opened it, of course...

Oh, I know the feeling.

The greater question here, of course, is ... "Will anything ever break through this gray gloom on Steemit?" Lots of promises in the air, but so far nothing's happening -- and what does happen doesn't make much difference. People are tired of just treading water and I can't say I blame them.

Add to that the fact that the umbilical cord attached to Bitcoin we used to count on has either broken or become way too stretchy ... and the feeling that we're just adrift and waiting for the inevitable is pretty hard to deny. I do think those of us still here are caught in the grip of a shared delusion that's been pretty hard to crack -- but maybe not impossible.

We're left with the undeniable fact that people don't come to Steemit to read -- and they certainly don't come here because they know they'll find great quality material at the end of the trip. There are islands in the stream that show there is fine quality to be had on Steemit ... if you have the time, patience and determination to search it out -- constantly. Fewer and fewer people have either the time or the valid reasons to do that.

It sure gets no help otherwise in any way that matters ... and I don't say that just regarding "my stuff." My writing is not for everyone ... and I readily acknowledge that. But that does mean it's at an even greater disadvantage. Still, I see gifted people doing beautiful work -- fun, useful, readable, informative posts -- and eventually, reason would say, they'll have to ask themselves why they are spending their time and talents for what amounts to literal pennies. ("Because it still pays better than Facebook," is starting to ring real hollow -- because the truth is "not by much.")

On Steemit, you face this (so far) insurmountable challenge: To "build an audience" of thousands from a user pool most of whom never came to Steemit to read in the first place. The time it takes to chase down every prospective (often unknown / disinterested) "follower" who will be worth maybe a couple of cents now and then ... is simply prohibitive.

Maybe these kinds of returns will feed you for a month in Venezuela ... but I don't live there.

One other thing about Steemit that's worth mentioning -- other platforms have managed to create a user experience that doesn't actually feel dangerous the way it does on Steemit. You know what I mean -- and you've seen examples of it play out in real life. Even writing this feels "dangerous" in a way that's honestly creepy. So, if I'm being advised to "go with my feelings" -- that's the long and short of it.

There is something cultish about this place that belies its self-proclaimed libertarian stance. You're either consistently on the cheer-leading squad ... or you damn well better zip it -- and keep your head down. That's not "freedom" in my definition, that's living under Mafia-rule. And in my experience, not much good comes of it.

Please don't think I'm at all ungrateful for your presence and patronage. They've meant a lot. But of the 1149 people who've thought I was worth enough to "follow" somewhere / somehow / for some reason ... 3 - 5 show up occasionally. (I do thank you also for being consistent!) On blog after blog, including yours, that's the usual story. (Again, people don't come to Steemit to read, and even if they did, there's only so much you can do in a couple of hours -- unless you want to give your life to it ... and I'm guessing that's not the point either!)

Thank you too, for your appreciation -- now and previously. TBH, I also wish the messages were better.

If my blog survives this post, I'll be back later -- and we'll see where we go from there.