Need

If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.

- Marcus Tullius Cicero -

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I'm not sure what life was like in the sixty or so years Cicero was alive back in 106 BC to 43 BC [when he was finally assassinated], although if all one needed was a garden and library I think I'd be rather content living back then. I think the phrase was meant to make a point rather than be taken literally though and, with a few additions, I'd completely agree with that quote.

These days it's not as easy as all that though; we tend to require more than the basic physiological needs of a human like food, shelter, sleep and warmth. Safety and security is an element, as is love and belonging along with self-esteem and self-actualisation and there's other things of course, but they tend to fall underneath one of the above I guess.

When I say need I'm talking about those basic things a human requires to survive, however these days there's many other things that come into play and that people say they need like computers, cars, insurance, superannuation, healthcare and a myriad of other things and they all require money. Sure, the barter-system can work in certain circumstances, however I can't barter an item to add funds to my superannuation fund for when I cease actively exchanging my time and expertise for money in the workforce for instance...so yeah, money.

Need

Because Hive is global the community is very diverse; it's sometimes odd to me to think that I could be talking to someone from a very poor country who is struggling to make ends meet, or just to feed themselves, when I come from a country that it quite wealthy, and from a position of great comfort. Typically, I'd never interact with those people but here on Hive it happens. Sure, my comfort comes from hard work and effort, but being born in Australia has provided opportunities that others may not have.

Not too long ago I spoke to one such person who reached out for my advice.

The person needed [wanted] to take some Hive earnings out into the real world to facilitate day-to-day life but also had a deep desire to build an account and support the blockchain through powering up and curating others. That's cool right? The user wanted my take on the situation and to bounce their ideas off me.

We discussed the situation, did a few calculations around what amount would make a difference in the real world, what Hive earnings the account was gaining and what would be a feasible strategy that accommodated both needs. It was a really cool process to be honest, hearing that person go back over their real-world needs and those on Hive.

Balance of needs

A compromise was decided upon. Every several days the user would power up 50% of what they held in liquid Hive and remove the other 50% into an exchange and subsequently into the real world to assist with those real-world financial needs. These transactions would be done at the same time so anyone looking would see the balance. We're not talking about huge amounts here but it makes a difference in the users' real-world situation and supports Hive at the same time. I'm not suggesting that everyone does this, however it seemed a good compromise.

I've never taken Hive out into the real-world (fiat) and any I have taken from Hive went to an exchange, was traded for gains and put back in and powered up. I guess not everyone can do so though.

Hive isn't a users' personal bank and if everyone shit-posted hourly and removed every scrap of Hive they earned rather than power up and curate others I don't think it would ultimately work out so well. This is why I don't like to see people self-voting also, it's selfish and, interestingly, most that are self-voting also have a constant power-down active. That says a lot right?

It's great that we have a place to monetise our words but some responsibility is required, in my opinion.

I was really pleased to be involved in the process that user went through to come to a decision and am happy to support the account with some additional curation as the quality, effort, passion and personality is there. I also appreciated the way they're proceeding in their life offline and in support of Hive and I wish them the best of luck.

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What's your thoughts on the matter?

Are you one who likes to shit-post and spam-post low-effort content for rewards and take it all out of Hive? I'd love for you to comment and identify yourself if you are. Alternatively, do you have a strategy similar to the user I mention above in support of yourself and the Hive blockchain? Maybe you're like me and you leave it all powered up and spread it around through a lot of post-curation and comment-voting. Feel free to comment below.