In broad terms, we need options which are not contingent upon a single point of failure or have a single point of control.
Right now, I believe people are beginning to really understand the serious problems presented when our Social Media interactions are allowed to be tracked and chocked through a single entity (Twitter, Facebook, Google, etc...), who up until this point, have been able to establish a virtual monopoly due to their physical infrastructure which enables mass Data Storage.
Enter the Blockchain. To be honest, I didn't join Steemit so much because I was totally sold on Steemit. Rather, I joined because, firstly, ALL my accounts are censored and suppressed on traditional SM sites, and secondly, I believe the Blockchain is the best viable option.
Whether it is specifically Steemit, or another platform built on the Blockchain, this is yet to be determined.
But this is where I am coming from and this is what brought me here so far...maybe my story is similar to others new to this platform.