I was reading an article by @surpassinggoogle that really got me thinking about what we have before us with this blockchain and how the model really differs from that of traditional social media.
There is some differences of opinion on this but some believe we are heading into Internet 3.0. The first version was the website based Internet of the 1990s and early 2000s. Round two was entered into with the advent of social media making it a two way medium. Blockchain is pushing us into the 3rd version of the Internet where people actually have a stake in what they are doing.
In @surpassinggoogle's article, he mentioned:
We don't follow steem to the moon. We take steem to the moon.
This was a profound thought. He further added:
Everyone, even a redfish has a stake and each one is incentivized to grow this stake by incessantly "mining with minds", while maintaining good behavior.
If you want to read the full article, which I suggest:
People come to steemit for many different reasons. Obviously, the financial incentive is a part of it and, probably, the biggest reason overall. However, there are many on here who simply want to post their ideas and blog. Regardless of one's motives, we all have a stake in the steem blockchain and it is more than financial. We are in Internet 3.0.
The previous version of the web created a lot of wealth for a few people. The masses, however, were passed over. Millions (or billions) spent hour upon hour for years creating content that someone else profited from. The sharing was done to build something that was still based in greed.
Steem is different. Yes, there is a financial incentive on here which most of us are fully aware of. I spend a lot of time writing and validating my predictions for STEEM. Nevertheless, this operates on a different level.
Let me explain.
Most are aware of how the fiat monetary system has enslaved humanity. The wealth of the elite is beyond comprehension to most. Few are given an opportunity to share in this. For those of us in the West, we have the illusion that we are free to ascend to greater heights and enjoy all life has to offer. This is propaganda put out by those with an agenda. The reality for most people is that they are too busy just making ends meet to even consider anything else. Of course, leave the first world nations and things get remarkably worse.
Steem is different. Cryptocurrencies offer people a way out. Unlike other tokens, which require money (fiat) to get involved, STEEM only requires that you show up. Anyone can earn a few STEEM simply by doing some minimal posting, commenting, and upvoting. Based upon my projections, even minimal STEEM, in many parts of the world, will change lives.
And that is the core of STEEM:
It is not greed at the root of the monetary system of steem but CARING.
I already came across people who were able to overcome some financial issues because of the rewards from steemit. Whether it is paying an electric bill, feeding an infant child, creating an income while out of work, or getting money for college, steemit was the source of that money.
Now think about this for a second: Where did that money come from?
Those people were able to fulfill those financial obligations with money, for the most part, that other people gave them. Ponder that for a second. It is through our upvotes that we help others. When we share our upvote with a person, we are giving them a financial reward...we are affecting their lives in a small way. Collectively, we impact the lives of all on here in a huge manner.
Here is an example of a post that @surpassinggoogle resteemed. It is written by @fernwehninja.
In the West, $1,150 is a nice sum of money but it is not life changing for most. At the University level, that will only get books for a semester. However, here is an individual who is in a part of the world where $1,150 is a year's tuition. This person can attend school because of steem. Everyone who gave this individual an upvote owns a part of that success.
Have you decided that you own steem?
This is where the power comes from. Have you taken responsibility for what is presented before you? Steem is going to change the world. Let me rephrase that: for many, steem is already changing the world. We have the opportunity to improve the lives of tens of millions of people. Everything we are doing on here lays the foundation for those who follow. We will have a part in each and every success we encounter on here.
Tens of millions of people on here will make us very rich.
I want that for myself and everyone else but not because of greed. The reason I want this is because being rich from steem means people are able to break free from the bankster run, fiat death camp that existed for the past 100+ years. Being wealthy means we are able to assist others. Even at the most basic level, if everyone on here today had an account of at least 10K SP, the upvotes we give to newer people just signing on would be life changing.
Sharing is caring.
And for that, we all have to own it.
It is not just a website or blockchain that is at stake here. We are looking at the future of humanity. There is a mechanism for people to break free and end poverty. Are we going to own that responsibility and do our part to make this place grow? Or will we succumb to the "oh it is too hard" or "the whales make all the money" mindset and walk away?
Forget what is in it for you. Focus upon what is in it for the person who you are upvoting? What does the person on the other side of the world get out of your comment and resteem? Obviously, we do not know the answer directly. That said, you very well could be helping someone go to college; or paying an electric bill to keeps one's family warm; or paying for formula for an infant. This is the power that is in your hands.
@surpassinggoogle was absolutely correct. We do not follow steem to the moon, we take it there.
And we do this because we care. Greed is the disease of bankers. It is time we heal ourselves and all around us. The rest of humanity does not need to engage in this. Nature is cooperative.
The blockchain is de-centralized. That means nobody owns it, controls it, or is the administrator of it.
That also means that everyone owns it. Did you take ownership of steem? If not, it is time you do. We literally are at a crossroads for humanity with the ability to steer things in a different direction. Few have that opportunity presented to them in their lives. You do.
Let's us all do our part each day to take steem to the moon. That is the only way it will get there.
If you found this helpful, please give it an upvote and a resteem.
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