It amazes me too.
Most people over here always feel I have a secret agenda that will benefit me once they sign up on steemit.
They feeling I'm promoting steemit for some instant commission.
And when they are finally on it, they tend to give up on it easily.
I wish I can even get more platforms that works like steemit and Sola.
Those are just the two I know
I sort of got that feeling as well. That people thought it was Multi Level Marketing or something and that I would get paid if they got on here some how. I just don't try to get people on it anymore. Whoever ends up here then cool!
I understand your feeling.
Crappy multi level marketing has indeed made people lost hope in making money online