My first comment on Hive here!
those who run the code do so voluntarily. It's an airdrop.
perhaps. I really view Hive as the legitimate continuation of the original Steem chain. But you are right, it's my voluntary choice... on the other hand, with power comes responsibility.
Yeah, if Steem dies (and I don't know why it wouldn't) I think it will be known as a legitimate continuation of Steem (Hard Fork 23!)
Until then... hard to say.