You misconstrue my meaning, I think. My 'friends' are Hive friends. I have never physically seen these people. I've never physically 'talked' to these people. I 'met' them on the platform. I have come to 'know' them through their blogs. I don't have email addresses or home addresses for these people. They live in Venezuela, Nigeria, Croatia, Brazil, Portugal....all over the world. These are my 'friends'. It is a large, diverse group. I actually care about the people in the group. How is that corrupt? I at the same time look for people who are trying to get a foothold on the platform. I vote for them. I reblog them and tip them, so they don't get discouraged. I comment a great deal on blogs, because I know comments make a difference, make an author feel noticed.
Perhaps I am corrupted by warm affection I feel toward my Hive friends. I worry when they disappear and don't blog anymore. I worry that they might not be well, or might have suffered a turn in fortunes. That bias toward my 'friends' is perhaps corrupting, but isn't that what social networking is all about? Forming attachments, associations, connections? For me Hive is a social networking platform. That's the glue that holds me. Also, I am aware that the cryptocurrency some people earn here is very important in their lives.I think Hive is a miracle for them. It is one door that opens when all others seem closed. All they have to do is blog.
I am old, long retired. This is my hobby. It is not facile, like Facebook. Not spammy, like Twitter. Hive is unique. That's why I'm here.