As a noob myself, I found this post to be exactly the type of thing I was looking for. I too, find myself trying to navigate these unknown waters and and contemplating the same questions.
What are your thoughts on the promotion tab?
I too, agree with @mountainjewel when she wrote “I think a good use of bots could be when you have a really special post you really want to make sure it gets seen.”
I never really thought about the consequence of more influential people not engaing (thoughtfully-commenting) on your content because the comments on your post are full of spammy upvoting bots.
Too add to that,@Metzli comment made me have to take a step back and ask: are the long term users here just looking for “good content”, or are they also looking for the rich back and forth that tends to organically ensue in the comment threads of satisfying content.
For a while, I thought you’re typically wasting your time when you’re reading the comments, but with time and wisdom, it’s become the opposite. It’s becoming more clear to me (opinion)—that the conversations and connections that are had and made in the comments section are what add richness and value to the content, that bring it back full circle and creates that sense of community. Thanks for the post!
Btw, I’m a fan of permaculture too, I’m looking forward to reading more of your content!
It shure is @designeffort. I had a VERY short stay so far on steemit.com, yet it was only in the comments and in the interaction, that I sometimes had a very unique feeling about really meeting people who value what you say or that you value what they say.
@designeffort I actually never clicked on the Promote Button. I guess i had seen it before but never got drawn in.
I also agree with you 100% about the comments. My favourite thing to do on steem is to go to the new or hot sections of #permaculture , #homesteading , or #steem and read good articles and comment on them. I love findig stuff that peaks my interest and then seeing if the author or other steemians will engage in a dialogue with me. I guess its true that the bot comments would just clutter it all up. Nice Gif too!!!