Well said! I can't pretend that one of my big motivations for joining wasn't the possibility of financial gains, but I've said time and time again that what has absolutely captivated me is the community that Steemit has nurtured.
It's now the only social media platform I use, there's no trying to show off to friends you haven't seen in years, or bemoaning a terrible day and how crappy life is. It's a place where people seem to have a shared attitude towards life, on the whole choosing to be a part of something special. I've recommended Steemit to so many friends, most of whom have been spurred to join by seeing the dollar signs, yet the ones that have stuck around and even had success are the ones who have bought into the community and ethos and worried far less about the dollars.
Lets not forget that SBD/STEEM at 1USD is still pretty cool! Quit the moaning and let's bring everyone - and the platform - up together!
I feel like the platform as a whole (with the exception of stupid people and their stooopid scams) invites a much higher intellect and demands a higher level of decorum. It's a place where REAL ideas can be shared, creativity is required, and actual conversations can take place. It's a challenge. A good one. And I like it. And the growth is invigorating.