Given the recent skirmishes taking place due to Justin Suns attack and subsequent hollow victory upon the Steem blockchain, it has highlighted one crucial idea. Highlighted and revealed from many their positions on private property. It seems that as democracy reveals givers and takers (politely using that term instead of parasite), so does Proof of Stake (POS). Without discussing who falls into one category, as you can look for yourself, I thought it would be a worthy time to note the difference between equality and being equal.
Equality without equal outcomes
I’ve seen so many throughout my life who mistake the concept of equality as suggesting we should have equal outcomes. We have seen that push come in life here in the States via such ideas as participation trophies, grading systems utilizing a curve and such. Various forms of applications thrust upon society in the attempt to give an appearance that we are all alike.
Many (especially those who have little) will become enraged if it is demonstrated, or even suggested that there is logic behind the idea/demonstration of any form of hierarchy. This form of madness (it is a madness as evidenced by the often enraged presentations these people will utilize) would ensure we would never have nice things.
Not everyone is equal in ability, and stripping the rewards of those capable in their respective talents would ensure many great things would never see the light of day. In my time at Steem(it), I read many posts decrying those with more stake. Especially those who would use it for purposes not aligned with the goals of those protesting its use. Protesting the original miners for what was deemed an unmerited size of wallet. Instead of thanking these original miners for allowing what we all freely participate in here, these people who insist on “equality” cry and whine that these people hold a skill that enabled them to create this wealth.
They refuse to acknowledge that there are outcomes that are dependent upon ones ability being coupled with being in the right place at the right time. Throw in perhaps a flavor of knowing the right people to be nudged into the right place at the right time. While I have an aversion to many self proclaimed experts (as well as many experts that are often cited for schemes that are detrimental to myself), the fact is that experts do exist and deserve a compensation for their contributions higher than those who would benefit from their contributions.
Hive allows for an equality in the sense that everyone of us has the ability to post and get rewards. Has the ability to reach for our debit cards and purchase some to power up, enlarging our stake to the rewards pool. In fact, if one was of a mind to purchase enough stake, one could have a fatter wallet than those being protested against for mining theirs with their knowledge of doing so coupled with their investment in equipment.
Crying about lack of wallet size while never investing
I’ve seen many in my time here who fit the above descriptions of protest, yet one cursory glance at their wallet reveals that for all their talk of community and fairness, they would never dream of reaching into their pocket and investing. That is something in their minds others should do, so they can equally benefit from those actions. The valuation of a project like Hive comes monetarily from Proof of Action (POA), as it is the dynamic that allows for Proof of Stake (POS).
As in all things, POA reveals the value one holds for a thing. Many in life are free to offer their opinions on matters they refuse to act on. One can easily discern in the case of this project where one would fall. And this is not to suggest all who participate without an investment of money is here simply to milk and whine for more. Not everyone is financially able to, and I get that. Being one of little means myself, my contributions have reflected that. However, I still have invested, albeit meagerly, and plan on continuing to do so barring a mismanagement of the chain that would change its fundamentals.
Our wallets can’t be equal without an equal form of energy focused upon them, mitigated by our own abilities which influence the dynamics involved. Here is where the equality comes into play.
Right now, Hive is valued around .15 each. Invest 15.00 and you would get 100 Hive, regardless of who you are or the size of your wallet. Power up those 100 Hive and your claim to the rewards pool will be equal to anyone else, with no respect to ones abilities or other means of wealth. The voting power from that 100 Hive is the same, the adjustment inflation paid to maintain vests is the same.
A Quiet Hero For The Chain
What prompted me to write this was a conversation I saw take place on Steem recently. It involved the vendetta that is taking place against certain members. It appears that Dan from Blocktrades is the target for the most part, which is why the Darthnight account was targeted. In one of the many back and forths going on there, it came out from one of the more respected accounts on Steem (TimCliff) that Dan/Blocktrades over the years had used their power to prop up the value of the coin in the comment section of this post.
In my years on the Steem chain, I’ve never once seen this mentioned. It appears many of us owe him a huge debt of gratitude, as he has safeguarded our investment in the project. Continuing to do so as he was a major factor in facilitating the creation of Hive for us to have somewhere to safely go before Steem becomes a shit Tron token/project.
In the post cited above, it is sickening reading the apparent justification for freezing stake, compounded further by speculation that some of it was justified because the person MAY be Dan from Blocktrades. None of that stake should have been frozen, but wow, to freeze other accounts because they might be Dans?
I doubt someone with as much on their plate as Dan really has the time to play cat fishing games, but if he does, so what? It’s his money. He not only was one of the main forces behind the creation of Steem (and Hive), he also runs his successful business Blocktrades.
Many I think are unaware of the contributions Dan made to the actual creation of Steem, as Larimer and Ned took the spotlight.
https://fuk.io/exclusive-interview-with-dan-notestein-of-blocktrades/
So, for those who have been talking shit lately about Hive is just an oligarchy, ruled by a few with Dan up or at the top. Please show yourselves the door (logout button) and feel free to create and fund your own project. The one where you will seek no compensation for your expended energies and expertise in the creation. No seeking of compensation for its continuous running. No looking for compensation if it needs you to support it by absorbing runs to keep it thriving.
Of course those of you who fit that last paragraph will do all that and more. You don’t believe in rewards reflecting ones contributions. That just wouldn’t be equal enough for you.
As for me, I will utilize and invest in this awesome chain, appreciating the genius behind it. Appreciating those of means, like Dan, who continue to look out for it and us as the system allows for us all to equally benefit/use it.