I've struggled a bit with whether to make a post regarding this topic, but I feel it's incredibly important, so here goes.
Steemit is something I've grown very fond of in a short period of time. I feel it personifies free will so to speak. It's decentralized, so it's free from the unbridled corruption and bias that seems to have infiltrated the media we intake on a daily basis. Here we are free to express ourselves and take in information on subjects that we find interesting and that make our lives just a little bit brighter. It's akin to opening a door to a sun filled room. Some might only want to crack it open and catch a ray or two, while others push the door wide open and bask in the sunlight. Steemit is this way. You can choose to just read content and upvote. You can comment and upvote, or you can jump right in and create content, comment and upvote. The most important thing about all of the these choices are that they're "your" choices. It's what you're comfortable with. These decisions are yours and yours alone, and all can benefit personally, spiritually and financially from whatever choice they make.
Seeing posts take a stance or push an agenda worries me deeply. Like I just commented in another post regarding this topic, I no doubt believe these posts are written with "good intentions", but some of the worst atrocities throughout history have started with "good intentions". I have an idea, let's just all do our own thing and leave it at that. The community will grow organically and by doing so creativity will take hold. I have no doubt members will utilize Steemit to come up with creative solutions that will solve problems in the future that we can't even comprehend today. I believe this concept is that powerful, if we don't screw it up by implementing various rules that will ostracize members and turn Steemit into a very "nichey" platform. Again, just do "your" thing.
Steemit was designed as a social media platform, but it's linked to a cryptocurrency, Steem, so that makes it an financial asset. Then we have Steem Power, which is a financial and savings asset. We also have SBDs, which is a medium of exchange on the block chain pegged to the US dollar which can make financial transactions very quickly and easily. So when I see posts trying to tell people what to do with "their" money and influence they've either earned or paid for it worries me deeply.
I believe this community at it's core is filled with incredible talent and virtue, but if "free will" starts being slowly shunned for the good of the "community" I fear for the longevity of Steemit to grow and help people the world over.
Why are people flocking to block chain in the first place? To get away from the control, corruption and cronyism that has plagued our financial system.
If someone makes $500-$1k per post, I'm truly happy for them. Will that be you or I one day? That's up to you and I and how much time & work we're willing to devote to Steemit. But that's the beauty of it, it's our choice and is entirely up to us. If someone has a $200 upvote, they've earned it and can do whatever they want with it. It's their choice.
I personally love personal development and finance. Thinking and writing about these 2 topics and finding practical applications for both others can use in their day to day lives gets my juices flowing. But that's my choice. Your choice is whatever you want it to be. I believe by using Steemit naturally the way they feel comfortable, a large percentage of the members will help the community and themselves. Whether you use Steemit as a blogging platform, trade Steem, use Steem Power as an investment or saving account and trade or hold SBDs, the most important thing is your "using" it. This helps the community the most in the long run b/c the value of Steem will increase b/c of the amount of users, plain and simple.
I hope that anyone who took the time to read this can take something positive away from it. There are always a multitude of possible solutions to solve a problem, but in this case I believe one solution rises up above the rest, "free will". Have a great rest of your weekend.
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Useful Websites for Steemit Newcomers
https://steemd.com
https://Steemnow.com
https://steemdollar.com
https://steemwhales.com