The fundamental difference between Steemit and centralized social media is that in Steemit you get paid if you interact, whereas in the other networks you’re the product being sold.
I don’t expect everybody to understand or agree with this. For some will be comfortable to continue to be sold. But a certain part will want something different.
I don't actually think people care if they are the product or not its about engagement and ease of use.
If someone new comes here with no understand of crypto or programming and you say to them...
We have 3 currencies here steem , steem power and SBD and you are allowed so much mana and resource credits and you can comment twice a day and we pay you pennies that you can't have for 7 days and you get them in a currency you don't understand.
will they stay? probably not
I guess only time will tell but as the saying goes you live or die by the decision you make.