It was filled with badly clashing archetypes, cliques and daily battles. So is Steemit.
I wonder where do you find all that room for intrigue, clashes etc? I mean you write something, click post, and that's it. The environment, as it is right now, is not very conductive for a lot of interaction.
Unless someone is actively seeking such interaction, gossip, cliques, etc, they are unlikely to have such an experience. For most people the experience is actually the opposite: They feel it lacks interaction compared to other social networks. So how can it be that at the same time, one can say that it's like a parallel monologue, while others see it as an intrigue-filled type of system? Obviously the system can't be defined by either.
My guess is that the experience is relevant to what one actively pursues. If one wants to stir shit up and be cliquish, they'll probably find a way to do so. If one wants to just post, while not bothering with all the unnecessary drama, they'll also be able to do so.
In the end of the day, how much drama one wants to put in their lives is their choice. Some people are actively pursuing drama and controversy, others don't.
This is exemplifying the way this game is built and how it is played. Centralized hierarchies create this type of atmosphere. It's not very social at all, but I am referring to the underlying power dynamics. Many who choose to not look at who is giving out rewards will not see this stuff. The main point of this is to illustrate it is not really a blogging site that rewards good writers, but rather a game for those who are willing to do whatever it takes to become popular. Also, there have been scam artists outed in here, lots of them. I've witnessed a lot of really shifty stuff in here, and more ugly truths will be revealed. My point is also that there is no hiding in here, as past deeds will come to haunt those who have done them. It's a brutal environment in many respects and instead of getting ego strokes, many get a slap in the face.
As perhaps one of the, technically speaking, finest writers on this platform, Stellabelle.......
it is, existentially speaking, such a god damn shame that you have placed your skill at the service of two or more of the Seven Deadly Sins for your Muse
Lust
Gluttony
Sloth
Wrath
Envy
Pride
to, as Solomon would say, "soweth discord among brethren".
Lest I come across as being overly religious, let me state categorically that I am no such thing. Just a keen observer of human nature and the ends to which talented people employ their labors.
Take for example that supreme orator of the French Revolution, Robespierre the "Incorruptible" (ha!). He began his career as a monarchist and opposed to the death penalty. He ended it, ironically enough also on Madame Guillotine, having unleashed through his oratorical sophistry gushing rivers of blood and having set the stage for the emperor to come. Full circle. All in service to his Pride!
Do you, Stellabelle, retain sufficient presence of mind to critically examine your muse(s) while attempting to arouse negativity in readers here on this platform? Or are you now perfectly possessed by one or more of the list above?
Where will you lead us, Stellabelle?
It might only be because I'm so new here (it's pretty clear from the amount of posts and your reputation lvl that you've been here longer than most), but my experience has been really different. People welcomed me in, made sure I knew the ropes, and voted for my posts to make sure I never lost heart.
No, it's not always easy to watch someone get a truckload of coin for a post that wasn't the greatest (in your/my opinion), but as we continue to go forward these things will change. The power dynamics will shift as people that stick with steemit gain more and more power as time goes on, especially if the user base/retention continue to grow appropriately.
As far as it being "not really a blogging site that rewards good writers, but rather a game for those who are willing to do whatever it takes to become popular". I think it can be either one, that's up to us. If there are scam artists here, then rest assured that you're right: there no place to hide - especially in the blockchain.
I just can't see how it is going to happen now. I am struggling with seeing how on earth the price of Steem can even go up much let alone other changes needed here. There is nothing to drive it up, but everything to drive it down.
This is because people don't understand the economy of Steem. The base payouts are measured in Steem Dollars, not Steem. One Steem Dollar will always be near One Dollar (USD). So mostly it just means that payouts will involve more Steem. I plan to do a post on this, but haven't had time yet. Soon.
people usually have trouble seperating the writer from the writing.