(R)evolution - part 1 of 3
My friend said I'm trying to start a revolution, but I beg to differ. Revolutions are much too messy. I prefer evolving.
There have been a lot of posts lately regarding whale wars, voting bots, self-voting, flagging obligations, voting abuse, lack of meaningful commentary, absence of fellow Steemian support, and the general degradation of our growing Steemit community.
I've read some extremely intelligent and motivating posts. While the posts were engaging, some of the comments were even more inspiring. I felt stirred, invigorated, and primed to join the movement! But there was no movement – just a lot of talk without action.
I encouraged the Steemian who posted the most compelling post to take the next steps, because we would surely follow. Clearly, there was power and influence in the post! Looking around the comment section, the post had rallied support and a hunger for change.
But isn't that always the way? We're always looking for someone else to be the answer to our problems. After the rally dies down, we walk away dejected, hoping that the next rally (or post) will not only stir us, but equip us with our battle armor and give us a leader to follow. I decided the next day to stop waiting for a savior to rescue the platform, and began to formulate something I could do to help.
In MY opinion, here are the dilemmas at the forefront:
- Voting abuse (and the whale wars that ensue because of the abuse). From what I've seen, the only people who are immune to real consequences of flagging retribution on Steemit are whales. Minnows have low reputation and face daunting challenges to make significant amounts of money on their posts. To expect the lower ranking members to offer themselves as martyrs is unrealistic. The structure of Steemit seems to be such that voting abuse is within the bounds of “legal, albeit immoral” behavior. As long as the system stays as it is, voting abuse is likely to continue.
- Voting bots. I am neutral on this matter. I've seen people contribute significantly to Steemit, while using voting bots. I've also seen people take advantage of Steemit in using voting bots. The problem isn't voting bots. The problem is complacency and disconnect from the Steemit community.
- Self-voting. The problem isn't self-voting. The problem again goes back to abusive, selfish behavior that is rewarded. If the minnows are allowed to vote for themselves, then dolphins and whales should be able to as well. If the post was a quality post and fed back into the value of Steemit, I don't think anyone would have a problem with the self-vote. The issue at hand is that greed and laziness are being rewarded. When everyone gives up and follows suit, the platform will be destroyed. Abolishing self-voting doesn't solve the issue, as Steemians can easily create secondary accounts for the sole purpose of upvoting their primary account's posts.
- Since the stage has been set for greed and laziness to rule, comments are becoming a way to collect extra money as fast as possible. Steemians are beginning to use the comment section as a way to make a quick profit, instead of using it to encourage, connect and support.
- Closely related to point 4, since the interaction between Steemians is becoming more superficial, the community is left growing more isolated and fractured.
I still stand by this attempt being focused on adapting and changing (evolution) – rather than “blowing up the system” of Steemit (revolution). If we don't adapt, we die. There are only two directions that we can move: ascending towards the peak (process of growth and life) or descending from that peak (process of decay and death).
If Steemians really believe that we have no more room to grow and adapt, and the only thing left to do is “get as much as you can, as fast as you can”, then the platform has already begun it's descent to becoming obsolete.
Though I have seen members who have succumbed to apathy and defeat, I have also seen a vast number of Steemians that still believe that Steemit is worth the effort.
