According to my opinion, we can not compare Steemit with blogs and social media since Steemit is built with different platform which is blockchain. Of course there are a lot of similarity, but the main differences is that Steemit is belong to all of us, encourage all of us to have changes in this this world, from centralized to decentralized system, open wallet and so on. For me, Steemit is also an opportunity to be able to write and socialize without any interference from government, I lost so much data in social medias and other blogs and I cant accept that. About reward, I think it is also a way not only to distribute the coins but also to encourage people to realize that we can do something for others, we do not have to worry to give, to create, and to share. This is what is the most important, we are living in modern era with high technology that make all of us sometimes forget how to be human. Steemit is also teach us a about the real democracy, since we are all living with "centralized belief" about democracy that actually different from the concept of democracy itself. Steemit allow us to do whatever we want to do, of course there are rules and regulations, guidance as well, but all are depend on ourselves. We can not expect anybody over here, we just have to put our best effort, and that is not about to get reward and friends, but to help all of us to have a better life and future.
In short, I think Steemit is a new brave movement that help all of us for a real changes in this world, toward a better life and future and we all could participate by being content creators and curators, and share this movement other people as much as possible. The more people we have in Steemit and the stronger community we have, the bigger chance we have to move faster toward the changes. That's my opinion.