I have a policy where if my comment gets too long, it becomes a post. So here we are!

I commented that my VP percentage is extremely low (in the 20's).

lol! oh man @ironshield! wow I thought mine was getting low. but look, you're almost to 500! yay! great job. then you can use the slider and vote all the time without running out of power!

I've been on Steemit for about a year and I'm just about the cross over the 2K mark in SP. I delegated about 1500 SP to various causes and made 500 SP my goal so I can get my vote slider back, I'm almost there! In the meantime, I'm glad to be dishing out 100% upvotes, even if it drains my voting power. When VP is really low it recharges quicker, that's one plus at least!

I heard that only 1% of the people on Steemit achieve 500 SP, is that correct?

Ha, I didn't realize I'm a "One Percenter" on Steemit. I didn't know that statistic, so I cannot confirm or deny it. I once read a statistic that the majority of the 1 million accounts are not active - they do no posting commenting or upvoting. So of that "1%", I wonder how many actually interact here?

You and your wife believe in this as a long-term wealth builder obviously, is it mostly faith in the system and crypto or is there anything but theory that people can point to?

I wouldn't say we have great faith in the system, per se. I got started with the homesteading community, then the Christian/Bible community, family protection, steemsilvergold and informationwar. I enjoy interacting with all of the fine Steemians in these communities.

I do have faith in establishing a good name, not for myself but as a reflection of the Holy Name of the Most High. I fall short, just like anyone else, but for someone who may be impressed with anything I've ever done - all glory goes to Him.

As far as Steemit being a long-term wealth builder... I couldn't say for sure. I think we are just beginning to see what this will become in the future. STEEM is the only crypt-currency that actually DOES something, by 'vesting' (that is STEEM POWER) you gain influence in the community. I've seen so many people give up on this platform for whatever reason, but what I've learned is those who stick with it, become the 'seniors' for the freshman coming in next wave. They come when STEEM gets to four or five dollars, THEN they're suddenly interested in posting!

I believe true wealth building comes by establishing good relationships with people and behaving as an actual community. I know that word is over used and misunderstood (this is not a commune), but it is a community when we help each other, build each other up, show compassion and offer charity. This is what people do in a community, despite their differences.

In the end, it's all theory. We are in uncharted territory. It may 'go to the moon' as many believe, or it may fail miserably. It only fails if people abandon it and sell out. It succeeds as new features and abilities are added, attracting more talent and investors. We know new features are being added, new websites are developed using the STEEM blockchain, we know new investors are always looking for something upwards to invest in. If the investors would invest in STEEM POWER and participate in the community, now we're seeing the start of something huge. Can't sell off SP in a minute's notice, just ride the wave up (or down). There's no way to prove that the STEEM token will ever be financially valuable, but there is abundant evidence that the community on Steemit is strong and likely positioned to become stronger.

All that to say, yes I think the STEEM blockchain has a very prosperous future. Unless it's abandoned entirely, it will succeed.

my wife isn't convinced and I don't know.

You won't convince your wife that Steemit is anything unless she begins interacting with and meeting the excellent people here on Steemit. It's unlike any other social media platform I've ever been a part of. Everyone carries a stick and a carrot - a downvote ("flag") and an upvote. This keeps things civil, unlike any other platform I've ever seen. Most people who are convinced of the future of Steemit, come to that conclusion after a few months of diligent commenting and posting.

My wife @lturner is on Steemit and although she's not able to post so often these days (managing a household full time), she has met some wonderful people here and she enjoys writing back and forth. She wasn't exactly 'sold' on Steemit when she began, but with time she's grown fairly fond of it.

I hope this answers your question, @janton. I always appreciate that you ask them! It shows great respect for others and everyone learns in the process, even if the question isn't answered! There's a lesson in simply asking.

Your Steemit friend,
Benjamin Turner

SmartCash	`SXJLtozyeJeCxYMd5ckXU2rGHGjAwUePMa`
Bitcoin	`14USVaf7cnCZzMtvFaqGuSXdKcVq4pFHzf`
Litecoin	`LPRHooiVYgvM6Jp7jsDYhcvXeTB2qnBfk9`
Ethereum	`0xAd1E93433DD92d07425ADa83d9192d6bD1ee08e0`
Bitshares	ir0nshield <----with a "zero" for an "o"

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Benjamin Turner: God fearer. Rooted in Messiah. Husband of @lturner. Father of four wonderful children. The guy behind the camera. Steemit enthusiast.

Bless the Most High!

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