I share your thoughts, @ofishea. Steemit offers a unique, and powerful opportunity for anybody, anywhere to earn. It allows one the freedom to be his/herself, and still earn. To put to use talents that would otherwise not have audience, and to morover earn from them.
As a platform, Steemit still has some long way to go, and i can personally encourage you that in the near future, you will look back, and know you made a life-changing decision decision, when you joined steeemit. As for me, it is already changing my life. Where once i could not afford to find audience for literary works, steemit now offers it, and i am taking the opportunity with both hands.
Now my task, our task, is to find all ways to ensure that others also benefit from this opportunity. There are many talented and creative dudes out there who do not know/understand the life changing opportunities the block chain technology offers.
We do well to lead them here. And share your opinions of how. I hope i shall be able to add some other ways i can think of, soon.
Otherwise thanks. and Happy New Year.