Great post @davemccoy. I didn't really know anything about Steemit when I started a year ago and actually left for quite a few months, as you'll find many other people have done. Most never come back. I saw a sign, now I'm back for good and really enjoying it. I think most people only see $ signs but it has to be much more than that or you quickly realise you are selling your time for about 10 cents an hour when you factor it all in.
Even harder still when you live in a country with high wages, such as here in Australia. I can earn significantly more per hour just at work than I ever could on Steemit. I do it now solely cos I love it and it gives me motivation to grow and learn, share my art and life with others, and also converse with people around the world I would otherwise never know anything about. Keep up the great quality posts and I'm sure you'll keep growing and enjoying Steemit :)
First thank you very much for taking the time to explain the situation and your story. I think it is helpful for others to see coming from the "veterans", especially the newbies like me :) ...
I agree with your explanation about people's motivations and how it compares to other forms of work, and while people might not know it by the amount of posts I've made here in the 9 days, I too have a full time job. My job happens to be in the slow season (I'm in finance and the market drys up at the end of the year), so it gave me some extra time to learn about steemit and get to meet the people both joining and the long-termers.
After immersing myself for the past 9 days, I love the way the platform works. It is well designed with real incentives to encourage people to participate. It has real potential to do things beyond everyone's wildest imagination. I simply love what it can do financially for people all over the world, and also the ways in which it can integrate people together. I have met more interesting people here in the last 9 days than I have met in the last 9 years That is amazing when you think about it.
I thank you for the encouragement and appreciate your reaching out to help others. I too love this place and will continue to try to make it a better place every day!
Stay in touch and again thanks for taking the time to comment :)