Other than 2 big spikes (to 10,000 sat in fall 2013 and to 7,000 sat in early 2015)... XRP has been mired around 1000 sat. Even with the recent spike, XRP is trading at 20% of the average price in 2013. So it's just a network token.
STEEM is different since Dan has clearly stated his goal is to build a "currency"... and build useful services a top of that currency.
You are entitled to your own opinion, of course, @zer0sum . However in legal terms, XRP is considered some sort of currency or asset. You have 2 examples of this:
What Ripple's Fincen Fine Means for the Digital Currency Industry
Ripple Labs Settles Lawsuit with Former Founder Jed McCaleb
So of course, STEEM or XRP are cryptokens and the US Dollar is just a paper out of thin air. However due to enforcement, subjective value and use, they have value.
I myself don't consider paper money as proper "money", but because I do have to interact with a world that enforces its use and considers that government paper money as actually having "value" I still use it. My own opinion on the matter isn't enough to turn it worthless at this moment.