Most people had some desire to monetize their activity when they came to Steemit. Otherwise, why not just use Facebook? Yet many are dishonest about these motivations because they want to portray themselves as above such "base motives." In fact, what is there to be ashamed of in the desire to be rewarded for one's investment of time, energy, and money?
I agree with you that it is quite exciting to know that all the contents of our interactions here will be preserved forever. No one can delete the STEEM blockchain, which might seem trivial to those that are not early adopters. However most of us that are active here know how revolutionary something so simple-sounding is.