If Hive's sole purpose was as a mass adoption content hosting platform then Yes, we would have failed.
But that is not even its main purpose.
The blogging / content aspect was just a way to achieve wide dispersion of the token and thus true decentralisation of the blockchain. This has already been achieved.
That's what 'proof of brain' was always about.
Going forward its useful for community and also allows uncensorable on-chain communication between community members that is crucial when facing attackers (eg Justin Sun) who may be able to censor us on centralised platforms.
But the purpose of Hive is as a decentralised, permissionless, open source back end database for Web 3. Everything from games to @podping to the only viable algorithmic stablecoin to fast and free monetary transactions. And much more.
Interesting. Was this from inception, ie from Steemit days, or a new direction from the fork into Hive?
Indeed, I'm aware of the other stuff too and love podping (I listen to Hive/3Speak podcasts on Apple Podcast app).. but is all this sustainable without the adoption?
This was from inception. I saw Ned speaking about it way back in the early Steem days.
Some adoption is necessary but mass adoption is not.
Mass adoption is ultimately necessary. The crypto space is currently uncompetitive, but we can't assume it will always be like that. The networks that have weak network effects will no longer have a basis for speculation and the money will dry up.