True, the need to incentivize the nodes is already there. Even if I personally in the top 50 ranks for 3 years now never had to worry about that, even back when a witness node required a truck load of RAM. Was never an issue.

However, we do have a gap in the "node" requirements out there, tried to raise awareness on that issue recently.

ref:
@jackmiller/long-term-logistics-of-hive-infrastructure-rpc-nodes-1611222016

Prevention is the best cure, but on this topic, there needs to be a change in "attitude" towards the economics of HIVE along with an increased understanding of the requirements that our blockchain has in order to function effectively, now and in the future (when millions of transactions are done every second).

I don't think that any of the people running a witness node (and campaign) would mind if the use cases for HIVE expand to more real world market places in which people will love the speed and financial savings HIVE and HBD have to offer them. As that will over time drive up the demand and the current supply plus the daily printed amount may not be sufficient at times (depending on how many use cases are out there). Hence raising the value of HIVE, which then = even a witness at a position under 50 on the ladder will not have to worry over the finances involved.

Long term planning and thinking well beyond the "here and now" or "instant gratification/profits" is the key to getting us to where we should/want to be.

Man, I ranted, sorrryyyy. But yeah, we are on the same page on many things and this rant is more so 'not directed at you' but.... the post says it all ;)

Thanks for all the support to date in my witness campaign, every person who voted on my witness campaign always gave me a little added adrenaline to keep working harder and looking into what it is that they believed in for the future of Hive.

Cheers mate.