@mattclarke - Not quite sure exactly what a "noob" is, but I'm nearly certain that I am one and would never refuse, out of pride or any such silly emotion, your dropped dollar minus twenty c. Here's an interesting post that I've just read. A Steemian having serious health issues posted the naked truth about her physical challenges and politely (with much embarrassment) requested not money or donations but upvotes (which, according to the Etiquette Guide, we're not supposed to do). She explained that she was very reluctant to ask and that doing so gave her a sick feeling, but the pain was so intense and other options so remote that she finally broke her own rule and posted the problem. As a brand new Steemian, I wondered how the community would respond. After all, community is culture. The response was overwhelming. Everyone upvoted (at least everyone who responded upvoted) and reSteemed, many donated Steem$. Several replied with comments about their own health issues or those of a family member. Many commended her honesty and insisted that the whole reason for Steemit is to support what should be supported. I read comments for several minutes and could not find any criticisms at all. That was impressive and changed my rather negative view of all social media platforms. That post and its response seemed to be the opposite of the YouTube Troll Center. Of course there are Steemians who join the community to earn money, and there isn't always a venal motive. Often writers from poorer countries will introduce themselves in a very honest post about the urgent need for earning power. In this case, it was quite necessary. So I don't want to censure the financial factor in the equation. Life has many twists and turns and we're always learning the meaning of "Both Sides Now."
"I've looked at life from both sides now, from win and lose and still somehow, it's life's illusions I recall; I really don't know life at all."
Here's that living illustration from YouTube Channel Ken W, recording artist Judy Collins, songwriter Joni Mitchell -
And here's Judy in her golden years from YouTube Channel KUTX Austin -
It may have been her vulnerability that resonated, perhaps.
It's a difficult line. We want to support each other, but we don't want the platform to devolve into a begging competition.
If you don't bring what others consider (subjectively) valuable content, you won't get very far.
'Noob' is a bastardised abbreviation of 'newbie' :)
@mattclarke - Matt, you, and a very large percentage of Americans, won't be able to remember one of the first programs that aired in the '50's when television was a toddler. The show was called "Queen For A Day," and its premise was that the contestant with the greatest need would win a large cash prize. I was too young to appreciate the life trauma of each contestant, but I will never forget the pathos, which seemed, even in my childish thoughts, awkward, inappropriate, wrong. Why? I would move closer to the screen and sit there staring, not crying, only trying to understand what was amiss. It felt uncomfortable to televise, publicize, commercialize and incentivize tragedy. I could not have explained that, I could only sense it. If I turn the pages of my mind, I can still hear the host/announcer introducing the program with the question, "Would YOU like to be 'Queen for a day?' " And I always hoped that nobody in my family, my mother, cousins, aunts, or anyone in my best friend's family would ever be crowned, "Queen For A Day." (Nevertheless, your vote and the 20c are greatly appreciated.)
Now here's another question if you have the time. For some reason Steemit seems to crash frequently. Just now, I must have come in through the back door and could not recognize anything that looked familiar. So I privately Googled my account name and found a link that invites users to follow and vote for me. Is that some kind of generic link automatically associated with every account? I did not create it, nor would I, nor could I because I don't have the coding knowledge to do that. Should I be concerned? Should it be reported? Your reputation profile is 65 so you must know about such things, certainly much more than a 'noob' would know. Thank you, Matt.
I think we're on the same page there, Sarah.
You get more of whatever you buy, so be careful what you pay for.
NB: That text is standard, it's automatically added by the site.
@mattclarke - Many thanks. Steem on!