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Before we start, I need to make a small confession. When it comes to the world of cryptocurrencies, I am still a beginner, a crypto-noob if you prefer. So if you thought that this article was going to be a detailed technical analysis of the current market trends in the crypto world or you thought that you were going to get an expert's prediction about the future of Steem, then I am sorry, you'll be disappointed. I actually know so little about digital currencies, that even using the #steem for this article gave me palpitations.
So, you might ask, what gives me the right to talk about this topic. Well, the answer is simple. I represent the average person who might one day make up the majority of Steemit users. If we want Steemit to grow beyond our wildest dreams and to become mainstream, I am the kind of user you want to attract here. If we want the value of Steem to skyrocket, I am the average person that you want to trust Steem enough to use it for their everyday transactions. Because if Steem is to ever write history in the world of digital currencies, it needs to grow beyond the boundaries of Steemit and find its way in all sorts of markets. Without the ''average person'', who knows little to nothing about digital currencies, that can never happen.
SourceIf you crypto experts are still here, then think about this. How many people out there know how the economics of fiat money work? How many understand inflation, demand, supply, macro- and micro-economics, the roles of governments, central banks etc etc? I would say only a tiny percentage. Yet every human being on this planet uses USDs, Euros, Pounds, Yuan etc every single day. Most keep in these currencies their entire life savings, their investments and the future of their children. So why do they do it? The main reason is that, for now, fiat money is what gets them what they need. They trust it, because they use it daily to buy what they want, pay for their bills, their entertainment and their kids' schools.
Today I did something that some here may not approve. I have been reading article after article about how the Steem can only grow if we trust it enough to invest in it. I've heard countless times that the only way we can do that is if us, the Steemit users put our faith in it. If I had a Steem for every time I heard the phrase ''Power Up'', I would be a happy whale who had just had an early retirement in his early 30s. Even though I don't disagree with that way of thinking, I believe that Steem needs to gain the average user's trust, before they can be asked to put their trust back into Steem. The way to do that, is to spread the word out that Steem can function just as good as ''real money'', but without the need of Central Banks, governments, regulations and restrictions. Steem has the power to be the first cryptocurrency that will become truly mainstream and the way to do that is through its social network, Steemit.
A week ago, I decided to withdraw some of my Steem and use it, for the first time, as ''real money''. Not because I am broke or unemployed, but because I believe this is how we will get people to trust this currency. Just imagine the look on my landlord's face when I asked him if I can pay my rent in Steem. So I explained to him, those few basic things I know, about digital currencies, Steem and Steemit and then gave him the rent in money that he recognized. But I did make sure to repeat to him again where exactly that money came from. He was truly interested, even impressed and I am sure we will be talking about it more the next time we meet. So, slowly, little by little, by getting the word out, the day will come that people will see how Steem not only can replace fiat money, but it is also much superior to them.
So, for you, the new Steemit user reading this now, today is May 19th, 2017 and this is the day when I paid my rent with Steem. I paid my rent with money that I made on Steemit, by doing things I love and enjoy, such as writing and reading articles, debating and having pleasant discussions with other members of this community. Today is the day that Steem has gained my full trust and I will do my best to let everyone know about it.
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For more articles like this but also on many other subjects, follow me @nulliusinverba
Great article-- and you make a very valid point. For most people on the street, Steem (and even Bitcoin) is basically "monopoly money" that's no more "real" than the man in the Moon. But when you can say "I had some of this 'Monopoly money' as you call it, and I exchanged it for this $800 of cash which you DO recognize!" it tends to get people's attention.
Exactly!!! Once people start to use Steem to buy the things they need, that's when you will see people really trusting it and coming back here to power up and even invest.
This is awesome! Check it out @lumlum85
Steem on @mtgmisfit! :)
Great article mate, very well written and I would say representative of most users opinions on the site. I know less than you and remain skeptical about cryptocurrencies in general mainly due to my ignorance of the subject but I am following with interest,
Thanks again.
The great thing about Steemit is that even for those who are sceptical, it can still be an awesome experience. Someone can use the social media component of Steemit alone. He or she can come here and blog, read articles, debate with people...Then one day, a few months later, they will click on their ''Wallet'' and realize that slowly they have gathered a respectable amount of Steem. That's when you can start reading the amazing articles on here which offer tutorials and explanations about Steem and the world of cryptos. And once you learn those few basic things, you can start using your Steem in any way that you like. The possibilities will just keep getting more and more.
Precisely
Great article mate
Thanks @kyriacos!
Thanks for sharing this post. I fall into the category of "crypto-noob" as well. I think these currencies are just waiting for the capacity to readily be spent. If I understand correctly, to spend my steem I need to use it to buy bitcoin, then sell my bitcoin for dollars. People will get really excited when they can skip the conversions. Let me know if I am way off.
You are not!! Actually there are some great tutorials here on Stremit on exactly how to do that. Search for it! And if you use your Steem to pay for rent, bills or just to buy something, don't forget to share your story :)
BRAVO! From a fellow crypto-steem-noob. I'll be following you hoping to learn from your successes.
Thanks for the follow @leriautonomous!! Don't forget to share your success too, with people on Steemit but also the ones not here yet!
Great times ahead! Totally agree with your approach, I am doing the same at work . Step by step we will make it happen!
Exactly!! Steem on!
Yasssss
This is awesome keep planting those seeds in peoples minds. It is the only way to gain momentum enough to free humanity from our debt based currency system!
Thanks for the awesome story.
All we have to do is encourage people to come here and see for themselves! Steem on!
Can you talk to my landlord as well? :) I want to do the same.
Go ahead and do it! The worst that can happen is to get a weird look like I did. But still, the word is spreading out, little by little.
I am afraid, I am not as good negotiator as you are. :)
Just explain where the fiat money you're giving them came from. Like I did. That's enough for a start. And maybe one day they will come and ask for a deposit directly to their Steemit account!
Fantastic.
I can relate. I usually begin crypto conversations with " Well, you've heard of Bitcoin - right?"
It's actually surprising how many people out there haven't even heard of Bitcoin itself. Most remember reading about it somewhere but have no idea what it is. But the transition to digital currencies will happen soon and I hope Steem will be there!
Nice.
I considered offering to pay my landlord in steam today!
This gives me hope that It will happen soon!
Do it and let us know how it went!!!
I'm a bit confused, how did you post this in steemit and chainbb at the same time? Thanks for info
I still have no idea how a person could make enough $ to pay their rent on here. When I post, I only many a few steem cents and I can't figure out how in the world someone could make several hundreds???
Just be patient and keep posting good quality, original work. Then everything else will come. Also be sociable...Make friends, comment, debate, share your ideas in other articles.