I don't see the conflict.
SMTs can be configured in multiple ways and can be used in multiple ways, one of which you described which brings them onto Steem - the blockchain. They will see them as an earning potential though and more so if in combination with an economic collapse that drives people to look for new revenue streams to supplement, even if it is to reduce the costs of centralized entertainment like Netflix. The models and gateways are endless in detail, but the funnels in are going to be through various applications with tokenization integrated.
Ownership of experience is going to be the number one retention factor I think.
The fiat value of STEEM and the various SMTs will have to come from somewhere. There will have to be enough people willing and capable of buying the tokens. If the economy collapses, I don't think a lot of people will have the means to buy the tokens to keep their prices high.