A new blockchain would be very unfair: you will just take all the hard work that Steem developers have done and use it without giving any compensation to them.
It might be also illegal, depending on what country you are. There was a real reason why Steem was launched like it was: https://bytemaster.github.io/article/2016/03/27/How-to-Launch-a-Crypto-Currency-Legally-while-Raising-Funds/
I think a re-sale of the EXCESSIVE SP power via a late ICO would be a better option. Other crypto pre-mines have done so in the past.
Well, it would still have potential legal problems. As it's said in the link:
This is basically happening right now. Steemit is selling to fund the development. Price is low, so anybody who wants to invest in Steem can do it relatively cheap. From a redistribution perspective, isn't this a good thing?
It should be also noted that decentralization is not a good thing for a new project (and maybe not good even for a matured project!). Too much decentralization will cause bad problems and it could even stop the development.
I've written about it here: https://steemit.com/dao/@samupaha/how-to-design-efficient-and-resilient-dao
Correct. I have no problem with a small pre-mine in principle to cover initial costs, but now the whale SP is too top heavy, and as the whales sell off, the demand is not there. Newbies want to EARN Steem (just look at the marketing for joining up) not buy Steem. A tough gig for the Steemit marketing people here. Where are they if everything is so centralized??