Yup, 100 % agree that different users have different levels of dependance on STEEM - I know a number of our Venezuelan community who rely on STEEM as their food on the table. I desperately hope they don't get swept aside in all these power plays.
The cross-chain swaps may still happen, who knows. Once those that oppose Justin have completely gone from STEEM, onto the new chain, he may feel more at ease and willing to build rather than dump - who knows.
A foot in another chain sounds nice, but I don't understand the technical side of that. What chains use JSON? It is my understanding that alot of the tribe activity relies on Json transactions - is it feasible to brodcast a JSON on two different chains to have say an EOS JAHM token and a STEEM one, with the data readible on both?
Like I said - no idea about the tech side of things. I guess Reggeasteem at the end of the day is dependant on STEEM Engine, and how they handle this fork will be the primary consideration for the tribe. Some sort of cross-chain capability could be an interesting way to keep a foot in both STEEM and HIVE and be open to the upside of either chain.
Whether STEEM is sinking now depends on Justin really. He has the resources to re-build it as he wishes once the fork happens and his oponents are busy with a new chain, it just depends on if he actually wants to build it, or just dump out and move on.
Thanks for your thoughts,
JK.