Why would I pay to comment or post here? I can literally go to my Google+, Facebook, Twitter, Minds, Gab, Instagram or other numerous social medias and post what I post for free anyway, I'm not particularly controversial. =\ Plus I also have my own VPS running my own Oxwall installation where I post as well and literally earn more from that Oxwall installation than I do on Steemit.
Steemit is just yet another platform, nothing insanely special for me.
I agree with you completely... to think that we don't have alternatives is a little arrogant from where we sit right now!