No, @svamia, you misunderstand.
Our content is unique, as we have more original articles here than on any other social network, but we don't get anything in exchange for it - remember, anyone can follow a Google link and read our articles for free. Advertising will put back money into the network, in effect increasing the value of Steem over time.
That said, as original our articles are, there is already similar information on other sites. We need to offer unique products and services in exchange for Steem. Remember why Bitcoin got popular - it was a convenient and semi anonymous currency, used to obtain drugs, weapons and shady services. This is what made it popular and widely used today.
I don't suggest we engage in illegal activities, but we do need to offer something valuable, which would increase the price of Steem. Right now the only thing we offer - our somewhat original articles - we offer for free to the wide public.
Btw, I don't like advertising and neither am I in charge of such decisions. I'm making an educated prediction that there will soon be advertising on Steemit.
I consider Steemit concept to be sort of ahead of time )
Imagine that in the middle of 19 century you have created automobile and present it to the public. Will it go to the moon? - Not nessesery.
Because you'll need roads, you'll need refinery, and, probably most important you'll need to teach people how to use it. Otherwise people would just say, "nice coach, but how to couple it with a horse?")
So, Steemit is very misunderstood thing now. To hope that using advertising banners might somehow help is like trying to couple automobile with a horse )
I do very much symphathize with this post, which is actually also a response to the same post of @timcliff you are inspired by
https://steemit.com/steem/@dragosroua/steem-is-a-river-sbd-is-bottled-water-and-steem-power-is-a-dam
To continue your analogy, I'm looking at Steemit as a mechanic, whereas you look at it as a car fan who would enjoy the lines of a brand new vehicle.
I do consider Steemit innovative, but its core idea of freedom of speech and decentralization is slowly starting to fade. In a couple of years, Steemit will be yet another website with banners, with which to pay its authors. The downside is that authors will have to bother converting from an exotic crypto to a fiat currency, instead of getting paid directly in USD or euro.