I can speak to what @stellabelle 's words meant to me - not sure if it was the same message that was intended to be received, of course. But it tickled something that has been growing in my awareness - that taking actions on this platform with the expectation or even hope of a return isn't as magical as using the power of this platform with the expectation and hope of giving a return to someone else.
ROI is inherently a selfish concept, measuring cost (to self) and return (to self). Perhaps measuring how much you can give to others with a given investment of time is a better metric for Steemit - every activity that creates connections and builds that web of connectivity is adding value to the platform. Making an honest comment might only take a few minutes but might add as much value or more as a post that took hours to compose, because it engages someone else and continues a conversation instead of just being another drop falling into a disinterested ocean.
My take on @stellabelle's comments is that once you have embraced the potential that Steemit has for GIVING is when the platform will become fulfilling and the investment worth it. It reminds me of the tangle (directed acyclic graph) that IOTA uses, where every new transaction must verify two older transactions. This is the social equivalent, the platform allows you to give out more than you can expect to bring in, through the constantly recharging voting power, through resteems, through comments - it is easier and more time efficient to do these things than it is to post. Does this perhaps discourage some content producers like yourself? Sure... but it also ensures that connections are forged, it ensures that it is not just a platform of one-way mirrors and loudspeakers, not just a platform of a thousand voices blaring out and nobody listening. It is not another blogging platform, it is a platform that at its core encourages people to help and gift each other. The more people that embrace this, the more the platform will succeed. The initial reward may be more of a social reward and not a hard $ ROI, but this should actually serve to build a stronger and more long lasting community of people who are committed to helping each other and in the process boosting Steemit.
I woke up this morning with a simpler way to look at this. I imagined the Steemit ROI question in terms of a relationship. The old paradigm (@stellabelle referred to as commodity paradigm) is like entering into a new relationship thinking about what the other person can do for you. The paradigm shift is that point in a relationship when it stops being about yourself and honestly becomes about what you can do to help your partner.
Most of the folks I have encountered so far on Steemit who are successful in terms of large followings, lots of SP, high reputation - the measurable metrics - all seem to have things that they are doing to help the platform. Personal projects to give back to Steemit. And that seems to be driving a lot of the engagement in a positive feedback loop. They are in healthy relationships with Steemit.
What a lovely way of putting that ideology. I just wish MORE people would adopt that idea! I'm working at changing the mindset of people and you get my 2 cents for doing your part.
Thanks @happyme :) Following you - lets spread some good vibes
Thanks @carlgnash. Yes, I hope I don't step on too many toes in the process! Many on here are only interested in taking and don't realize this is like a garden. If you pull out all the plants for yourself, there won't be any left to make seeds for next year!
Very astute interpretation @carlgnash and one I'm not overlooking. I think my use of ROI was fairly loaded and caused some of my own confusion. I completely agree that feeling the positive cycle of giving with no expectation can still be a very positive return on investment.
I suppose there's just a separation from humanity that may be creating this conflict for me. Even as I type this...I'm staring into my phone...and while the potential to connect and create positive change in others is at my fingertips, I still can't escape some degree of guilt. Anyway, I need to dig into a few more posts from users shared by @stellabelle. I'm sure I'll have a different story to tell with each new exposure to what drew me into Steemit in the first place :) #upvote
Well I can tell you one thing, if I had to type my comments on a phone I probably never would have started Steemit in the first place :) I spend a lot of time on computers anyway and the nature of my remote (work from home) position means that there are hours in the morning before the rest of my family wakes up that I am technically at work but have plenty of time to internet. This changes the equation for me, I am sure.
I hear what you are saying though. If I could give you one word of advice, which is relatively presumptuous considering I really hardly know you - it would be to try to let go of guilt wherever you encounter it. What a useless emotion that just hinders true enjoyment of the present. Sorry to preach brother
Oh, I can handle a good preach...let that sermon flow brother!
I do tend to tie unnecessary baggage around my ankles at times (especially with respect to writing). I've become a true believer in Dzogchen and mindfulness, which has helped. I'm not sure I want to let go of the guilt, but instead notice it as more external to me. I'm better now about "watching" it enter the picture, and then smiling at it as it passes by and carries on to infect its next host ;)
I think that is pretty much exactly what I meant by letting go of it.