I'd really love a HIve that wasn't just about the money, but had great engagement. I just can't see that happening. I'm not sure I'd even stay around
This depends on the people.
For some reason, most people focus on posting, instead of commenting.
Probably this is mostly the result of the wrong marketing both with Steem and with Hive too. I still see people putting the "vote, post, earn" stickers on various place. No wonder that it attracts the wrong people.
Without the rewards, currently probably more than the 90% of the Hive users would disappear.
Hive needs real use cases, and a proper marketing.
I am guilty of posting more than comments right now as flat out busy. I love to write but now I have the guilts and will do a comment bomb or two this weekend. People use Hive in all kinds of ways. But seriously most of my friendships here have nothing to do with the rewards pool now. 💗💗 still I wouldn't have met them without it!