Introducing Humans of Steemit - My New Project To Bring Personal Stories to You and To Share Steemit With The Rest of the World

Hi friends! I am beginning a new project designed to share people's stories and market Steemit at the same time. It is called "Humans of Steemit" and was inspired after "Humans of New York". Here is the project:

I will walk up to strangers and ask if I can take their photograph and interview them. I will then tell them about Steemit and tell them that if they want, their interview can be posted on my blog on Steemit. If they are willing to do the interview, I will tell them about how Steemit works and offer to give them half of the Steem Dollars that I make from their interview post on two conditions. The first condition is that they make a Steemit account themselves. The second condition is that they share a link of their interview post with all of their friends on Facebook. I have created a facebook account for Humans of Steemit in order for them to tag the page and verify that they did indeed share the link with their friends.

The main ideas behind this is that users of Steemit will be introduced to some amazing life stories. Additionally, the people that I interview will be introduced to Steemit and hopefully share Steemit with hundreds of their friends via Facebook.

I have created a facebook page at facebook.com/humansofsteemit. I will create a "teaser" post for each interview that I do, with a link directing people to the full post on Steemit. It looks like this:

For my first interview I did not pick a stranger, but rather my brother. This is because I wanted to do a test on how to model the blog post in order to show the strangers that I walk up to an example of what their interview could look like. In the future, all of my subjects will be strangers, and I will strive to interview a diverse group of people. I am currently located in the Bay Area, so these people will mostly live in California. However, I do travel a lot and will continue this project while traveling to other countries in the hope of spreading Steemit and sharing even more diverse stories.

I believe that one of the beauties of Steemit is that it offers people a place to be genuine. I have seen some of the most popular posts on Steemit be stories where the author was as open and honest as possible. I think this is because we are all searching for and value true human connection. I hope to bring some more of those authentic voices to Steemit in order to foster an online community and add to the value of sincerity that so many authors have already created here.

On the last note, this is our community, and your voice is part of it. I am open to any comments or suggestions on how to model Humans of Steemit. Please send them my way!


What am I thankful for? You know that question is really hard because when I first came to the United States, it was like “I am thankful for family of course”. The thing is that when you are in an orphanage for seven years, you don’t really know how to love. You don’t know how to feel what at all the other people feel. So when you don’t know how to feel that way you can’t really be thankful. When you’re adopted family gives you so much love, you still don’t take it because you don’t know how and when you’re barely keeping afloat you don’t want to hurt them, so you just say "I'm thankful for family". But what you're scared to say is, “I don’t know”.

Interview

Me: If you could ask a single person one question and they have to answer truthfully, who and what would you ask?

Billy: For me that’s very easy, it would obviously be my birthmother. The question would be: “Why did you give me up?” That's not the main question I want to ask. I want to ask: “What led you to the point that you had to give me up?” “Was it society that lead you to do this, was it because you couldn’t support me?” That feels like a much a nicer question than just asking: “Why did you leave me?”

Me: So if you had the chance would you meet your birthmother?

Billy: It’s on and off but yes I would. I think it is a chance that not everybody is willing to have but I think I would be willing to have it.

Me: Are you ever angry at your birth mom?

Billy: Yes and I think the reason why she gave me up could be a bad reason and it just hurts all the time and when it hurts, you’re angry.

Me: What hurts?

Billy: The fact that for whatever reason she left me. It hurts that she will never watch me grow or she will never really understand where I am. It’s painful to realize that she gave me up and she will never know what’s happening to me. I could be dead. I don’t know if she is dead.

Me: What are you most thankful for?

Billy: What am I thankful for? You know that question is really hard because when I first came to the United States, it was like “I am thankful for family of course”. The thing is that when you are in an orphanage for seven years, you don’t really know how to love. You don’t know how to feel what at all the other people feel. So when you don’t know how to feel that way you can’t really be thankful. When you’re adopted family gives you so much love, you still don’t take it because you don’t know how and when you’re barely keeping afloat you don’t want to hurt them, so you just say "I'm thankful for family". But what you're scared to say is, “I don’t know”. Because when you say “I don’t know” you’re going to ruin that relationship. What’s funny is obviously I know in my head but in my heart I’m taking this for granted. I think it’s one huge fat question mark: I don’t know who I am. And how am I supposed to know who I am? I don’t know what’s around me, I don’t know.

Me: What is your favorite movies of all time and why did it speak to you so much?

Billy: One of them would definitely be The Hours.

Me: Why did it speak to you so much?

Billy: Because each character was depressed. People are taking a lot of painkillers because they don’t want to be in their pain situation.

Me: And why do you think people get into a pain situation like that and how?

Billy: Living situations. It all depends on society.

Me: And how do you think your society is?

Billy: Around my peers we are not mature so we tend to look at difference as an evil threat. I feel like our society is sad because we don’t really accept difference and it’s frowned upon.

Me: Do you feel like your differences have been frowned upon?

Billy: Yeah just because I don’t play sports it doesn’t mean that I’m nicer or meaner. It doesn’t change who I am, theater is just my special hobby. It doesn’t matter what hobbies you do, it just matters what kind of person you are.

Me: Do you like your differences?

Billy: Yeah because it’s what I do. People frown upon the things that I enjoy but people shouldn’t take that away from me.

Me: What keeps you going with your differences?

Billy: My theatre group. When you have a theatre group they make you feel so safe and special and that’s a place where you can just sing your heart out and act your heart out without anyone judging you. The more I’m in theatre, the more I realize that I don’t need anyone to tell me what I’m doing is right or wrong. The more I am in my theatre group the less I’m worried about what other people think of me.

Me: So you found a community in theatre?

Billy: Yeah, because we're all the same, we all work together to create one beautiful play. Theatre is a family of supporters. If you sing badly you support each other on the stage or improvise. That really symbolizes that we're really a family of kindness and we support each other.

Me: What makes you smile?

Billy: If there is a campfire and we are around it and we’re talking and we’re laughing or sharing stories it just makes me feel so safe with people that truly care about me. I was at the cast party for Rent and this family has a fire pit, and all the cast members were there and it just really made me smile. I wanted that moment to last because we were all gathered around this beautiful thing, sharing stories and relaxing. That warm glow of community always touches my heart.

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I like your creativity and hope that it will bring about some very interesting conversations. Maybe you could even ask for the comment section to have questions for future interviews. Great ideas can come about through people thinking before they post. You have added value by doing this.

Awesome idea! I'll do that for my next post :-)

"Humans of Steemit" Very cool idea! Interviewing​, and offering half of Steem in return is a great way to get new people involved. Very creative +10 ! Thanks, upvoted

Thanks! I appreciate it, I'm hoping to get a lot of new bloggers onto Steemit :-)

Humans of Steemit, because too many bots!

👍nice post brother...

Brilliant Idea and a great post...well done, thank you! Looking forward to your contributionism...

Thanks so much!

I was waiting till someone did this! It had to be you. :) It would be really cool if you found interesting people and then maybe convince them to get on Steemit.

Lol thanks! I hope I can...that's the plan :-)

I love the idea! Hope to see what people you interview and how they react to steemit.

Thank you! I'm excited to see as well

Very creative. Like the idea. Good luck.

Thanks so much :-)

I like the idea. Keep the idea going.

Thanks! Heading to interview a few people today!

cool project
I support that iniciative! 8]

@ anwenbaumeister, I love your project so I liked your FB page and will follow you here. Tell Billy, I accept him for who he is...I'm glad he's doing theator and that he loves it. Never let anyone take that away from you. GO after your passions! I wish him lots of emotional healing. :) Namaste! :)

Wow thank you so much! That mean a lot to both him and me. He saw your comment and is touched by it. Thanks for the kind and compassionate words, Namaste :-)

@anwenbaumeister,
A great idea and a great blog.

Thank you :-)

What a wonderful idea! I am doing the same with my press service.

Oh awesome! How's it going for you so far?

Great idea! Follow for a follow ?

Great Post I have send You a little SD Faucet
If you want a Faucet every Day?
https://steemit.com/steem/@miketr/steemusdfaucet-get-up-to-1-maby-much-more-steemdollar-every-day

The day your average person can use this platform without understanding Crypto is the day it conquers the Internet.

I agree! I had 0 idea about crypto before I started using Steemit a month ago...and it has pulled me in!

Great idea and great interview!

A great idea and a touching first interview. This will definitely be worth following, I hope you find a lot of interesting people!

Thanks so much :-) I hope so too, heading out today to find some people to interview...stay tuned!

My story is so uninteresting...

I believe that every one has a unique story to share with the world, and I'm sure you do as well!

Can you tell me how should I submit my stories?

Hey there! Thanks so much for your interest. Right now I am only doing in person interviews with people that are not yet members on Steemit in order to increase our user base. However I'd recommend checking out @stellabelle's "Secret Writer" and maybe consider submitting a story to that!

Great idea and awesome interview! congratz, you definetily deserve the payment!


have a look on my new post too
https://steemit.com/introduceyourself/@raphma/hey-steemit-professional-poker-player-and-senior-member-from-bitcointalk-coming-in

Thanks! Awesome intro!

Fantastic idea...! Your creativity juices are just flowing...!

BTW touching interview...

Thanks! Can't wait to maybe snag a few people to interview at the Meetup :-) My brother says thank you :-)

excellent. upvoted!

Thank you :-)

Nice post :)

Thank you :-)

great idea! currently to get some steem depends a lot on luck. Why not even out the payouts to the participants. For example 50% they get instantly 50% is distributed evenly to all participants from this month. So every newcomer will get at least something.

That's interesting! I'm not sure if I completely understand though...could you go into more detail about how it would work? All participants of Steemit or all newcomers this month?

to all newcomers. for example take on month. lets say each day you manage to post round about one newcomer. Some posts will get lot, some posts nearly nothing, even if they are good. Maybe the wales was sleeping and forgot to up-vote or whatever reason. So it would be more fair to distribute lets say 50% of the reward to all newcomers evenly of this month, or even pay in advance for the newcomers in the next month for their spare time they spent for your interview.

Interesting proposition! I honestly right now am working a 9-5 plus heading 10 other projects so I don't have time to coordinate that but what I have decided to do that is different than what I originally posted is I am giving each person I interview $100 in cash upfront and then promise the rest of the 1/2 of SD if they create a Steemit account and post to their Facebook. That way everyone get's something for their time.

Absolutely fantastic idea! I love it! :)

Thank you so much for sharing, this is really inspirational! Anyone can get involved, and never be disappointed when you feel like you're stuck in a rut

Thank you! Exactly :-)

I like your idea. It looks cool. This should result in new people. For creative necessarily upvote.

Thank you! I hope it does bring more people on Steemit :-)

aw your bro seems cool :)

Thanks he's awesome!

What a great idea, creating a strong personal community with such an act! Best of luck to you on your journey!

Full Steem Ahead!

Thanks so much that means a lot :-) Community is the goal!

nice blog, and great hash tag!

Thank you :-)

Now that's freaking awesome. Humans of NY, humans of tech, now humans of steemit :) great niche. found you from minnowunited group who shared your awesome post.

Thanks so much!! Just read your intro post..."M.I.T Digital Initiative to Intro to Cryptocurrencies Bootcamp for Underrepresented Minorities and Women" - That is awesome!

Thanx :) will sent you the article once M.I.T releases the 25 individuals selected for the program. All I know are 2 that is my twin sis and another from loft network I think.

Awesome I'm looking forward to seeing the article!

Awesome concept @anwenbaumeister. I look forward to seeing more "Humans of Steemit."

Thank you! I'm heading to find a few people to interview later today!

Good luck with the interviews @anwenbaumeister, and I look forward to seeing more of them.

Whoops I'm sorry I didn't see that before! I think that you're idea is awesome and our ideas are pretty different and can perhaps build off of and support one another!

It is not a problem at all. All I want to see is interesting content well displayed.

Keep up the good work ))

Thank you so much, same to you! :-)

Love your idea! This is something I could definitely support.

Thank you :-)

Great work in creating an idea that you can cross pollinate on web 2.0 social media like Facebook. Steemit will not replace these other sites, rather augment or supplement it in a way which will be mutually beneficial.

Thanks so much! That's the idea...I hope it works :-)

that was epic introduce :)
congrats

Good Idea and a great post!

"That warm glow of community always touches my heart." Theater

A lovely family, blessed brother and sister.

Your welcome I'm glad you liked it :-)