Should we all be powering up all of our posts 100% ?

TL;DR

When STEEM value is high, power up 100% with STEEM POWER.
When STEEM value is low, use 50/50 and buy STEEM with SBD and POWER UP. You determine what value is 'high' or 'low'.

Here's the scoop:

There are many users who prefer to 100% power up, but I've been thinking about the advantages of posting at 50/50 and determining the best way to spend SBD (including STEEM POWER). I see the advantage of powering up 100% to show commitment to the platform. There is something else to consider, however.

STEEM is so CHEAP right now!

With STEEM so low and SBD actually a little higher right now, wouldn't we be supporting the STEEM token (and the steemit.com platform) by regularly BUYING it with our SBD?

I would think that the best way to boost the STEEM economy is to use SBD to BUY STEEM as much as possible. The more buys, the more it shows demand, the more people are willing to invest into STEEM and STEEM POWER. It's a much better option than using your SBD for the bribe-a-bots which will just ultimately consolidate power to the bot owners.

Another advantage of 50/50 is that you are giving yourself the ability to decide when and how much to convert to SP. You also have the ability to sell your STEEM for SBD if/when it goes to the moon, ultimately resulting in a higher return. If the value drops again you can purchase more STEEM and the ultimate result would be more STEEM POWER and higher upvoting value.

Then there are the the Bribe-a-Bots...

Image Source

TL;DR

By not purchasing STEEM, but choosing the upvote bots instead, we miss an opportunity to help increase the value of STEEM with our regular STEEM purchases, no matter how small.

Here's the Scoop:

The biggest danger to the platform (in my opinion) is that users, rather than purchasing STEEM, are preferring to give SBD to bidding bots. While this does give the satisfaction of a bigger number at the bottom of our posts, this actually damages the value of STEEM, as demand drops.

Yes, you read that right. Bribe-a-bots devalue STEEM.

If STEEM increases in value, we all win. Leverage your SBD to buy, buy buy while it's low low low!

By using SBD to make 'donations' to upvote bots, it's a missed opportunity to boost the value of STEEM with our consistent purchases.

The bribe-a-bots do not help the platform as much as we think they do. Remember, the bot gets paid twice for every donation once from you directly in SBD, then again with STEEM POWER 25% of their upvote value (you get to keep 75%). I'm not badmouthing the bots or the bot owners. They all have the best of intentions. And they work really hard to keep them running. But I don't think they're a good deal and they hurt the value of STEEM.

These are my thoughts on Powering up 100% vs 50/50 and debating the value of bribe-a-bots.

I hope you will consider the information presented here. I'd like to hear your thoughts. Comment below.

Steem on!

@ironshield