What good is free speech when there's nobody around to hear it?
Hive is decentralized; there are no 'leaders'.
It's up to the individual to take charge on their own behalf. Several other platforms for well over a decade now not only had 'leaders' but also handy algorithms positioning instances of content under the noses of consumers. These consumers demonstrating behavioral/consumption habits were offered content they'd most likely agree with and therefore consume. Content creators were then in turn offered the illusion of organic popularity. They'd create their content and the systems in place would position it in front of the target audience. The creator of said content didn't have to do much work beyond focusing on their craft.
Some of these content creators then heard about other options like Hive and the various other 'new' platforms. They might have nearly a million followers outside of Hive in some cases. They post an instance of content like a video, on several platforms, including Hive. Same video that can be found on Youtube, everywhere. And for years on Hive, as they post their videos almost daily, there's hardly a peep in the comment section and the view counter barely moves. Yet they expect to be rewarded, just for showing up and sharing a link. They don't offer any exclusives and do absolutely nothing to drive eyes to their work on Hive.
Having nearly a million people in a market outside of Hive and very little views, votes, and signs of consumption like engagement in the form of comments on Hive is a clear sign the local market isn't interested (the local market is small and is made up mainly of other content creators rather than content consumers) and it's a clear sign that content creator is far more concerned/interested in collecting money rather than an audience willing to listen to their latest rendition of 'free speech'.
Money doesn't have ears.
People coming from web 2.0 simply don't understand a platform like this doesn't exist to hold your hand and carry your messages for you.
It's not meant to be a free lunch content dumping ground.
People don't even realize they're free to set up their own revenue stream on this platform. They arrive thinking the current market and stakeholders are supposed to support them and their work. They don't even realize their supporters don't even have to spend money in order to support their work. All they have to do is take money from their bank account and place it in their Hive account, stake it, and vote daily, forever, at no cost, and if that consumer wants to, they can leave with all or even more of their money back.
In going on six years here I've yet to see anyone with a large market on the outside truly embrace what this platform has to offer then act on their own and work towards establishing themselves here, drawing eyes and attention here to their work, and utilizing the support systems in place to help fund their message.
So again I must ask, what good is free speech when there's nobody around to hear it?