I feel like the value of a currency is defined by what you can purchase with it.
In principle I agree with you. But you're missing a few points:
a) All this is only developing just now and needs time. The Wright Brothers didn't give up on flying just because it wasn't possible to cross an ocean right off the bat.
b) There are powerful forces arrayed against this technology because they stand to lose control of their system we are all slaves to.
c) There is a way to spend crypto anywhere: debit or prepaid VISA / MC. One company blew it with VISA on unrelated issues, but others are standing ready to take up the slack. Give it time. https://www.mona.co
d) In the Steem ecosystem you can reward great content and support creators directly and in various ways. Or you can BE rewarded. On Facebook you're only rewarding Zuckerberg. What's there to complain about? The fact you can't spend Steem directly on overpriced horse piss at Starbucks? Boohoo!
I like the concept of steemit as a platform. My post was about crypto in general. There was a time when acceptance appeared to be expanding for Bitcoin. Now it appears to be contracting. The fees are excessive. Converting to USD on a card gives you an outlet but does nothing to justify the existence of the 2nd party currency. I get that it is in alpha or beta, but to be truly useful, a market that utilizes the currency is necessary. Incentives for vendors that accept the currency are necessary