Blockchain technology is a revolutionary idea that gives power back to the people as it decentralizes data and authority. 2018 is shaping up to be the biggest year for blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies yet. As Steemit and other blockchains evolve and adapt, here are some implementations we would like to see on the Steemit blockchain that would help give more power to the people.
A Social Blockchain Game
In the vein of Crypto-kitties or Tron's soon to be released Crypto-Dogs, but cooler. These games use the blockchain to collect, mate, trade, and sell digital cats and dogs, respectively. Think Tamagotchi, but interconnected on a blockchain. Games like this are known to be huge in China, and Facebook's first big money maker was freemium games ala Farmville. A collectibles game would be a great way to attract users who aren't bloggers to the ecosystem and further prove the use of the blockchain to people who have trouble grasping its utility. Sticking with the Farmville idea, a game could be created using Steem faucets to help familiarize people with how Steem and other cryptocurrencies work. Sure, a lot of requests to water someone's plants might be trivially annoying, but having more people to view and upvote our posts sure would be nice.
A Simple Smart Contract Trust
This would allow for people to set up and create the parameters for payments for anything from rent, to creative project payouts, to membership dues. It would operate on simple if/then statement principles and collect balances for certain periods of time (set by the contract makers) before distributing funds wherever and however the contract makers tell it to. This would basically combine the services of bankers, lawyers and notaries into one blockchain without the possibility of deceit. This low cost barrier to proper contracting would be a huge advantage for the up-and-coming artist as often times they are taken advantage of simply because they do not have adequate funds to fight back. This simple smart contracting system would also serve as the foundation of our next implementation.
A Media Codec with Built-in Ownership Metadata
This would be a .mp3 or .mp4 type file with all the data of who owns what percentage of what built in that would allow all the creative and business parties involved to be paid automatically. If you've taken more than 5 Uber rides in your lifetime you've probably encountered an aspiring music producer who has had his or her music used without proper payment. A system like this would allow for the content creators to post their content and make it available for reuse without worrying about being ripped. Think creative commons, but everyone is getting paid instead of allowing everyone to use everything for free. This would attract many content creators from Soundcloud and stock media sites.
A Full-Blown Cryptocurrency Exchange
It's what the people want. It's what the blockchain/crypto space needs. A ledger of the ledgers would add another layer of security and trust that would allow more people to join the crypto space as this would allow them to see currency moving from chain to chain. Yes, all the coins are on their own blockchains, but this would be a blockchain of blockchain transactions. It's so meta and revolutionary, and ultimately the future of cryptocurrency. There will not be one coin to rule them all, but there will be one coin that connects them all. Whichever blockchain does so will be the foundation of the new internet, much like http protocol is now.
Simple Smart Contracts are coming (probably this year)
A full exchange (and especially fiat exchange) would be amazing for Steemit's growth.
I'm on the fence about games, but using SBD "tokens" in games would be a fun way to bring attention to the platform.
Yeah, I feel you on the games. I think there are a lot a people who would use Steemit, but they don't because they don't want to blog.
A "recommended" tab that shows what my followers recently upvoted or commented on would be a nice addition though. It might bring more attention to less known authors.
Yeah, that's a great idea. Steemit could use more interconnectivity between users to make it feel more social.