I've been asked a couple times about the future of steem recently...I'm not sure why people think I have any clue about it although I suppose they're just looking for an opinion or to open a dialogue about the topic. Fair enough.
For the record my answer is that I don't know what the future holds. I mean I would like it to go somewhere because I enjoy being here and engaging with people but I don't really have much of an idea about if it will, or what format it may evolve into if it does stick around.
What I do know is that it is not perfect, is open to conjecture, criticism and abuse and that it's just as flawed as those that use it. That's you and I in case you weren't sure. Yep, it's not perfect.
I've seen a lot of talk lately about the purchase by someone whose name escapes me right now, about what that person's intention may be, how the platform will be affected, positive or negatively, and how it may affect us, the imperfect users of it. I haven't bought into the speculation as there's plenty of people out there driving the speculation train without me adding another carriage to it. [Besides, I'm clueless and kind of dumb, so don't want to embarrass myself by commenting too much.]
Add to that purchase-scenario the recent introduction of Communities, cross posting and a soft-fork and there's no shortage of fuel for the blockchain fire to feed on. All bad? Nah, of course not...Pebbles in a pond ripple outwards and I feel that the more pebbles we (collectively) throw the better. All of these things are like little [sometimes big] pebbles and as the ripples work their way outwards we learn more and gain more understanding. I hope anyway.
So, are we in trouble? I don't know.
Are we in worse shape than any other fledgling social media platform, or start-up business? You'll have to ask someone more intelligent and savvy with the blockchain than myself for that answer but it's something to think about isn't it?
What I can definitively answer is that, for me, little changes.
Sure, those weighty matters above can, and possibly will, change things for us all however for me it is business as usual. Create content, curate content, comment on content. It's a simple concept.
The three C's...Create, curate, comment.
I enjoy the writing I do here, thinking about what to post, how to present it and what to comment on other people's posts. It's a hobby and I find it enjoyable. The coolest part is that the hobby actually (potentially) makes me money unlike my others that keep me poor. What's not to like?
I think it's the hobby-ethos I have here that keeps me grounded, on-point and sane. Sure, there's been times I've let something get under my skin although, in the main, I feel I've been quite stable which I'd like to think has been reflected on the blockchain. Mostly.
So, are we on a rickety bridge over troubled waters? Time will tell. Will this all turn to poo? Time will tell.
We can't do much about it either way, so maybe it's best just to get back to business creating and posting content, supporting the community at large through curation and engagement plus voting. We can also knuckle-down and help new users and those coming back from an absence to navigate the blockchain and its nuances - It's in everyone's best interest after all.
Don't leave it up to the curators, curation-initiatives or larger accounts to shoulder the burden...Each and every one of us is responsible here, for ourselves and the community.
Imagine if we all committed to adding five valid comments a day to users we don't usually comment on. So many posts draw zero comments and I'm sure a few here and there would really make a difference to the author. It would also look pretty lively from the outside looking in right? Pebbles in the pond, remember?
Bridge over troubled waters y'all? Nah I don't reckon; *Bridge between one place to another, a journey, and one we're going to need to follow to find the pot of gold at the other end.
Tomorrow isn't promised - Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default
An original post written by a human
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Image by me - Largs Bay jetty, South Australia
