I think you're right. Sadly...
Here is a weekly chart of the number of posts in the last 5 months.
We're not really growing anymore. On the other hand, the weekly number of posts is still much higher (+10x) than in the beginning of this year. But I agree we really have to do something to fire up the growth again.
Well, we have the same old problem. The site apparently isn't worth using except for the potential rewards. And even that doesn't do a good enough job of retaining users.
But what did we see from Steemit, Inc. today? A change to the welcome page that only focuses on the money-making aspect of the platform, probably thinking that the money alone is the big draw here. They're obviously not getting the hints or just don't understand what the hints mean.
Steemit Inc. seems to be focussed on easy on-boarding processes and on promotion to increase the total number of users, while ignoring user experience and user retention, and the image of "scheming at the top, pennies at the bottom" that, true or not, is spread by disgruntled users.
Some expectation management (you mentioned elsewhere), a better Steemit with more social-media functionality, measures to reduce the number of slippery, scheming reward-pool rapists, and a more flat income distribution where eventual income is less dependent on how much you already have or even a cap on maximum pay per post (filthy socialist, me, go on, say it) would go a long way to reduce the number of disgruntled users who don't do Steemit's image much good even if they are wrong.
Well the new users are not investing in Steem so I don't think that it is a bad thing. Got it here: Steemit’s Three Major Problems
I am a new user and I invested in steem power. I believe the biggest value of the platform is that I hold the keys to my digital online presence. I am using this place to connect with new people and telling all my friends I found a new digital home. I gave up posting in the other platforms and being forced to view ads. The part that it pays you some rewards instead of some shareholders that adds no value is a bonus. It is not the easiest system to use but then again neither was the internet in 1993.
Thanks, that's a good comment! Internet in 1993, yeah Steemit is a bit sparse, I miss friends-feeds and some niceties which you could have with Machine Learning, I also miss that you cannot message anyone, that kind of sucks but I understand its abuse potential.
What I'd really love if Steem could be extended by the community, to have a Reddit and Quora, WikiPedia etc. That would be really interesting! Thanks for commenting!
Thank you for the reply. I want to see voice replies and am working on the idea. There is something magical about the voice and I hear some of you on whaletank and I feel more of a connection. I see infinite possibilities.