I have a similar opinion about ads and adblockers. They are one of the channels to receive information I may need but did not know to look for. Only the ads which demand my interaction in order to use the main content of the page are disturbing or when the ad network lets advertisers deliver malicious Javascript code to visitors’ browsers.
Hive is a very easy and affordable way for people new to the crypto industry to enter the cryptocurrency world. Though the Hive reward alone is quite small, they also build their public image profile for the ecosystem. Their high quality content will also boost the visibility of this blockchain on the social media and on the search engines which in turn should generate growth. This growth then often converts to a higher market valuation of the economy and increases the value of their own $HIVE stake.
Some people can end up being so "independent" that they end up disconnected from reality, itself. I believe we can in touch with the mainstream without feeling forced to participate in anything we don't believe in.
The thing that's cool about Hive is that it allows people to do something they already do: participate in social media activities.
And yes, if you add something worthwhile, it becomes the "front window" to the world that draws others in. Which is how I ended up on Hive, in the first place... reading an article someone had share on some external site.
=^..^=