Steemit

A couple of weeks ago my son persuaded me to open an account on Steemit. The environment on this site is completely different from traditional blogging, or any social media platform I’ve sampled. Steemit has an economic component, although that aspect of the forum seems a bit remote to me, at the moment. There is a system of rewards, upvotes and downvotes (rarely used). The idea is that the more good content a blogger provides the more “Steem” power they will accrue.  Eventually, Steem dollars can be earned.

Steemit is not an egalitarian platform, but then, what is? It seems there are whales and minnows. Whales have an enormous amount of influence and minnows have virtually none. However, there’s a sort of nurturing that is encouraged, in which minnows are rewarded simply for trying and being part of the system.

As I explain Steemit, I don’t really understand too much about how it works. The essence of “Steem Power” is steem dollars. The platform is based on blockchain technology, which is also the basis of Bitcoin. I don’t understand blockchain, Bitcoin or Steem dollars. It doesn’t matter to me. This is a new frontier and I want to understand. I think I want to be a part of it, but since I don’t know exactly what it is, I’m treading lightly.

I’ve “met” a few nice, encouraging people on the forum. And there is a kind of excitement that is not present on other social media sites.  Certainly, the financial incentive adds to the energy. And then, I think, there’s the idea that blockchain technology pushes back against traditional currencies.

We are in a climate of rebellion. People sense the reins of financial and political control have been appropriated by powerful forces, forces that ordinary people cannot touch. Blockchain is a way to fight back.

I just finished a post for Steemit, which, after a few refinements, will go up later today. I can’t show the post here, because blogs on Steemit are supposed to be unique. And so will mine be. However, I will continue to post here, with the WordPress community.

Where will the new adventure take me? Will blockchain endure? Will Steemit endure? It’s hard to say. The train has left the station and I’ve reserved a seat. I’ll keep you posted.