No doubt the identification of the problem is 100% in my mind... I keep on saying, almost making me sound like a broken record, that the necessary change is cultural, not just code, and in this sense the mission of @promo-mentors is addressing the core of the rott, sort of speak.
As you point out, we've focused so much on remaining inside our echo chambers that have failed to project outward, thus creating the non-sustainable system we have to day, if not on it's own, certainly contributing to it's short-lived rallies.
The community on discord has grown considerably, and in my biased opinion, the current team @promo-mentor has is doing a fantastic job, but keeping it on track will require a sustainable implementation.
Let's face it, as painful as it may be, true and pure altruism is not long lasting. So, taking care of the teachers is at the core of the success of the project.
I would however, consider you taking this into an SMT realm. Meaning, that you could see if you could apply this whole concept, a system for education compensation for both students and teachers with a Token.
At the stage we are at, the project would be probably using ERC20 tokens, just to lift it off the ground, but nonetheless it seems to me more plausible for you to secure funding or delegations for that matter if you take a page or two from the other young SMT projects on this blockchain.
In any case, you got my support as always.
Changing some one's mind is a bit harder than adding code. But as far as the culture change steps need to be taken in order to keep it sustainable. One first thought is Witnesses get way to much to run a node server we all know less than half of the witness only run a witness node and nothing more. Now that's not to say they are doing nothing for the network (They maintain the integrity of it)
Bots are also a huge factor more and more accounts are just delegating for the sake of earning. If we could do half and half for curators the bot army will subdue. Author/Curator Win win more eyes on real content and less automated content, thus creating a social network where both collaborators work hand and hand.
SMT's are a way of coating the stink that surrounds Steem and Steemit.
"Let's create different tokens on top of Steem... yup that should help create real communities" I see none of this happening but worsening the effect.
I would love to help -- please msg me on discord
@futurethinker#8830 Hi! Just read your steemit post on culture change and education -- I am interesting in speaking with you!
Hello @joeparys!
What is your discord username?
@joeparys !!
Doesn't pop up what is your discord ID?
I see your point in this and I agree mostly. But this doesn't mean it's the end of the Steem blockchain. SMTs could make Steemit and Steem token "not relevant", but the dapps that will be created on the Steem blockchain they could be much more valuable if they implement features that don't drain value as is happening with Steem.
Awesome thought!
We have been thinking about the advantages of SMT and I think that having a token for promo-mentors could increase the student and teacher interaction a lot. The reason that we do not choose for ERC20 for now is because it can add a lot of complications to the interaction, because ERC20 work differently and much slower than sending Steem.
We will however most likely implement SMTs when they are out. Unfortunately, this is several months away :).