"Even newer people who have little SP have the opportunity to make a lot more than is given on Facebook or Reddit."
Right? I don't understand why people shit all over Steemit, but will spend hours+ on a Reddit thread? Perhaps it's a form of stockholm syndrome.
You are right though, we are laying the groundwork for the future of this platform. Find a curated community, connect with people, be yourself, and have fun; let the rest fall into place. Instead of learning and educating ourselves through centralized, productive-oriented systems; we can learn from each other's experiences, skillsets, and free-thought - which is much more powerful, rewarding, and sustainable.
We are all leaders, we just have to behave/lead through example and behavior.