Hi - I've taught global development (16-19, UK) for 15 years now and this question of the extent to which Steemit might provide opportunities for young people in developing countries is very interesting. As you say, it does depend on the country you're talking about, but one possible reason why Steemit might provide more opportunities for those in developing countries is that revenue generated for content isn't based on the value of adverts which in turn is based on the relative purchasing power of the creator. Instead, people decide the value, thus your content's being judged purely on its value to the reader. All other things being equal, this means the lower the PPP (purchasing power parity) in the country in which your based, the more your getting paid! (I think).
Possible barriers to the 'Steemit strategy' working as an effective income source for people in developing nations (please keep in mind that I'm not stereotyping here, I know things are complex!) include (1) the English language barrier - OK it also applies to a lot developed nations too, but it's still a barrier, (2) having the time to post -longer working hours/ more family commitments in poorer countries mean people have less time to post, and finally (3) having access to quality education and information which improves content - more people go to Uni in developed nations, possibly meaning their content will be more informed.
So I do believe peer-peer social media platforms provide more opportunities for developing nations, but (like pretty much everything else) people in developed nations are still better positioned to exploit these opportunities.
It's a very interesting topic, I'm gonna dig around for some research on it! P.S. I know Steemit isn't just about making $$$$ - that's just the direction I wanted to take my comment. Obviously Steemit's very useful for students to express themselves and learn new skills!
Yes. You points are special and your expertise shows. All you have said is correct and i understand that you are not stereo-typing. Exactly, what i am saying in this post, developing countries are in a better position to exploit the beauty steemit but they do need eye-openers like this post and your special comment here. Sometimes, the developing nations deaden people and except you are strong and stubborn, you start to see yourself as a victim and present yourself as one and lose out on beauty, foresight and vision. Currently, i am helping with growth of steemit in the Philippines and apart from the underlying message in this post for everyone, this post was targeting to inspire and sorta wake up or serve as mirror to the community we are growing. #steemgigs is also targeted to accomplish this cause among other things. If you read through the other comments, you will notice that this post has helped as an eye-opening and i am hoping your beautiful comment here will help further!
Hi thanks for the swift response, I'll have a look through other comments for sure. Just on the notion of 'victimhood' in developing countries I'm more inclined to think that growing up in poverty actually tends to more resilience and creativity - there's been a lot of extremely good documentaries on the BBC and C4 outlining this in recent years. Here in the west, where kids have got everything (and thus everything to lose!) there is a lot of anomie and passivity. Good to discuss!
Yes, it does and that happened in my case but it takes sheer stubbornness; "too lazy to quit". Not many go this route. Again it depends on the nation and in many cases the genes. Some developing nations, do embrace suffering and become laid back, less becomes normal. This is a special topic. In general for me, it has nothing to do with nation. The substance of the human transcends all that. There are special people from any nation and in every case, there has been conscious effort to allow your human loving aspect to reign.