As most of my fellow Steemit members witnessed, the stunning rise in the altcoin markets dramatically boosted the STEEM cryptocurrency. The end result is that we are far more powerful than we were back in the doldrums of the Steemit network, where it was simply not possible to earn decent revenues.
Naturally, we’re all excited about the shift in sentiment. Not only are we seeing increased rewards for our own posts, we get to substantively reward our friends. Essentially, we’re enjoying a win-win situation. But to further improve our Steemit network, our increased power or leverage can be used for the greater good.
Recently, I noticed multiple hot-button controversies impacting the Steemit network. While I won’t get into specific names and details, the controversies have a common motif: they center on complaints that some STEEM users are milking the system for their own greed.
Con Artists in our Midst
I certainly can understand the frustrations of this dynamic. Many months ago last year, I made a YouTube video about charlatans on the Steemit network. These individuals migrated to the STEEM platform under the false story that YouTube was banning their content (for the record, YouTube doesn’t ban videos about stocks and bonds). Today, these charlatans amassed incredible wealth due simply to their cult of personality.
But ultimately, those who take advantage of Steemit are facilitated by our collective members. Much of the reasoning is understandable – people latch on to charismatic figures, hoping to engender for themselves the success they see in the target figure. However, with the added valuation to the Steemit network, such cults of personalities have become less relevant.
That’s because we have the opportunity to make Steemit a network of our collective will; a platform that advances issues and ideas, not just rehash aphorisms for the benefit of charlatans.
An Organic, Diplomatic Solution
Some high-level STEEM users and witnesses have directly called out con artists in this network, and certainly, that is one approach to solving a chronic problem. However, if you want to help in a more diplomatic manner, I would suggest discernment.
In part, this means not being so cheap with your upvotes. With STEEM coins priced at $6 or so, your voice is no longer worth pennies. Rather than supporting con artists or people who merely recite tired aphorisms (ie. work hard, play harder!), consider supporting true, unique content creators.
By voting for original work instead of, shall we say, horse manure, the con artists will organically run out of oxygen.