Good day Steemians! Today I am going to make a short write up on my current thoughts about the platform. I have had these thoughts for a while now and I just want to dump it out of my system. This is also in line with my plans to create a series of posts on Political Philosophy
Steemit is an incentivized and decentralized platform built on the Steem blockchain
Most of the users are already familiar with how the system goes around here. The concepts of Decentralization, Steem as a smart media token and the idea of a block chain would be familiar already. However, I would like to focus on the idea of Steemit being "incentivized". It is with no doubt that Steemit is different from other social media sites simply because of this one. In other media, our thoughts are profit for the developers and owners and we are simply there as customers for the use of their facility. It is however noteworthy that we users are always the assets of the site. And the sole idea if being rewarded with your intellectual property is a big deal. It comes to no surprise that a lot if users are now flocking in to the platform.
Because it is incentivized, this raises the questions as to how rewards should be distributed? This is where my thoughts come in. Allow me to share my thoughts on reward system, motivation and meritocracy in steemit.
Spirit of Meritocracy
Meritocracy is a political thought which suggests that people who possess good skills and are of more value are given better benefits.
Plato, in his book The Republic advocated the idea of meritocracy. He believed that people with greater abilities were better suited for higher positions. It is implied that status and skill set make up the basis of position and power. In his book he lays down a fable about a god who has fashioned people out of elements.
He asserts that a god favors people who fit in their rightful position of designation. Those who are of great power are made of gold, of precious quality and rarity. The gods have put silver as auxiliaries and iron and brass in farmers and craftsmen. This immediately shows how he believes that a community (or a nation in his context) needs to have a hierarchy based on merits. The same concept echoes in Steemit as a community of content creators.
Social Heirarchy in Steemit
In Steemit, I guess most are already aware of the social status of individuals. A user, @crypto makes the distinction between them in his post: Steemit: Whales, Dolphins, and Minnows- The Importance of Steem Power on Steemit.
- Whales are the rulers of the platform, often shown in the trending section and have steem power of 50,000 or more. They are very influential and people lower than them are often motivated to chase after these users for a small taste of their upvote.
- Dolphins are auxiliaries in Plato's analogy. These people have grown in the platform either through investment or through posting quality content and gaining influence over time.
- Plankton/Minnows are the mere craftsmen making their way to the top of the foodchain and rely on he bigger fishes to be able to make it through the current of life in the platform
We even have the reputation system as a means to publicize our status aside from our earnings and account value. A user's post quality, curation history, engagement and followers make up one's reputation score. You can see @arcange's post to know more about reputation and the factors that affect it: What is Steemit reputation and how does it work?
Does the platform intentionally divide users into social strata?In all honesty, I believe it does. Even if the platform was built on the idea of anarchy and decentralization, there is always inequality as man is destined to seek out greener pastures and go ahead of others.
However, instead of seeing this as an act of division and injustice, the meritocratic system in Steemit, I believe it was made to foster growth. The idea of improving on the platform would have to be necessary in Steemit. The social strata, and belonging in the lower class, is a great motivation to climb up the social ladder. In my opinion, these are great ways to elevate your status in Steemit:
1. Honing your talents and skills
Because of the premise that only the gifted can merit from the system, this makes it very much imperative to make sure that you are doing your best to develop your own skill set. You may be good at writing, drawing, scultping, leading or any other skill you can offer to the community. What matters is that you have something to offer and you are finding ways to work on it. Find out what you are good at and make the best out of it.
Steemit is a great way to develop those dormant skills just waiting to be reactivated. The community urges us to hone our talents and publicize it to everyone. The best part about this is that the community can watch you grow. Users love to see their fellow users do better. You need to find your worth, your niche, your own personal brand in Steemit and make sure that you are driven enough to push yourself to your limits.
2. Engaging in Communities
A community is a great place for us to start building on our self. The best part here is that as we grow, the community grows with us. An atmosphere of acceptance and belongingness paired with healthy competition has to be present to foster positive growth.
In my own observation, some communities ask for donations, others give out tasks in service to others, while some carry out contests to reward members. All of these are conducted to imbibe that sense of belongingness, of engagement and togetherness. It is that push and pull between competition and collaboration that enriches growth.
In addition, communities provide you with the means heighten your status as you cannot have a group of people run without positions, objectives and tasks involved. If you find yourself able to fill in a role, then you have elevated your status successfully.
3. Powering Up
This is one of the best ways to move up the social ladder in Steemit. What makes whales so valuable to us is the value that their upvote can contribute to our posts. Minnows can chase after whales and gain success in the platform. We depend on their mercy to grow. This is perfectly fine, in fact I see this as a norm. But here's an idea. Why not grow yourself into a whale instead?
As absurd as that may sound, try to look at it this way. Steemit is just starting to grow influence worldwide. And as time approaches where there is not enough steem in circulation, an account which holds greater steem in steempower proves to be a more valuable member than those who dont. This is why we are encouraged to HODL on our Steem and grow influence in the platform. We shouldn't antagonize cashing out as well. Author rewards are the bread and butter of users here. However it does help to know that powering up should be done by everyone wishing to stay long term. We need to think ahead. And I am firm that this is one way to heighten your sense of value. Commitment does pay off in time.
In Summary
The spirit of meritocracy continues to hold true in Steemit. I see no other way around it but this way. Rewards will continue to be a prime motivation for users. And this concept will not cease to drive people into the blockchain. I am firm of the importance of being aware of that. Just like any organization, there should be no other way but up.
The social heirarchy in steemit may create division but it is in this stratification that propels users to excel. Quality posts, exceptional curation and positive comments are highly regarded in Steemit. This is what each user must aim for. And when we chase after quality, quality chases after us.
In the end, the means to climb up the social ladder is up to you. I have simply laid down my thoughts as to what I think each of us can do to further our growth. We have individual differences and strategies to make use of the platform. I just hope that we are all determined to make it through.
Thanks so much for reading!
follback and vote me
Hey @khabirulhafiz. Thats not really the best way to earn followers around here 😊
Samart phone click sun view in his camra
You have a bright future ahead of you. This is very good! An excellent post in its own merit. Continue with your political philosophy thing. I think you're good in there.
This means so much coming from you. I will take your word of advice and keep on improving in my craft. Thanks so much kim!
Thanks for sharing this... Really gives an explicit view of steemit
No worries. Im glad it enlightened a few points for you
Super helpful in really getting a grasp in how the social structure works and how you can climb it or play it! Specially for people who just started out or do not know much about the platform.
I agree tho that its a combination of the three talent alone cannot get you far and being social will limit your audience without talent and sooner or later we must learn how to power up(i dont even know or have the sbds for it but i yet, but its important). Great read!
Thanks so much for appreciating. I believe powering up need not be in an instant. Its a process of weighing out things. Whether you need fiat money or crypto is up to your needs atm. But I guess staying in the platform is in itself a way of powering up
This is your niche, your market. You were able to interpret the "caste system" of steemit in a rather effective way. The article is well-versed and very educational.
Indeed, just like the spider in a building, the only way it knows is up. It continues to go up because it does not know that there is a "top limit." Steemit showcases that as well: the ability to grow.
How you move your way up into the ladder is dependent upon your substance not the circumstance. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for your appreciation. You sound like you know a lot about the caste system as well. I have been trying to find out what I am really good at here and it helps to get positive responses. I have great appreciation for your efforts in reading my blog.
I will hold on to what you said. Hopefully, making posts like these really are my market and niche. Thanks for visiting @luigienius
Nice post dude.
Thanks for the appreciation @bryanlornemez
I like this! And I agree with you saying that competition and collaboration is what drives growth.
We are humans and we always find ways to 'humanize' an otherwise theoretically perfectly planned system. Cases in point: social status and reputation. And I think that's fine. I think it's what fuels the everyday cycle on steemit.
Also, when do we start talking about Plato's dialogues? Or Sartre's existentialism? 😂
OMG hahaha a fellow philosopher. Would want to work on it soonest. I can tell by your tone (lol seriously haha tone in virtual space?) tha you are in love with these talks. The pressure is on. Would try make it good for people like you.
And yes I did realize that after a short while here. At first the caste system here seemed like it was propagating inequality but I began to be enlightened that it typically fosters growth. Nothing like that spiceful jealousy if other's success to keep you motivated.
Speaking of, congrats on your curie @xaydtrips!
Haha I'm more of a frustrated philosopher. I had a brief affair with philosophy in late high school but I ended up marrying engineering 😂 nonetheless, philosophy opened up a part of my brain making it a noisy one, always wanting to engage in 'intellectual' discussions and pretend I know things (even if I don't) 😂😂😂
So yes, I am looking forward to more discussions with you here on steemit. Incentives are a bonus but at the end of the day, it's gaining knowledge and experience from what others write that really matters.
Salamat @josejirafa! Taghap ra to ui! 😂😂😂
Phew that was long! It’s substantial, I like your views straight to the point and honest. Yes, I’m really optimistic that Steemit will be a big thing in the future, li’l by li’l I’m powering up. Good one Aaron!
I'm really optimistic that the platform will soon hit the masses. It just helps to be prepared and ready when the time comes. Thanks for visiting kuya
This post has received a 0.08 % upvote from @drotto thanks to: @banjo.
Really worthreading! Great post as always. 👍 I will not be surprised about what you'll become here soon. You're someone who will surely be successful in this platform. Keep it up!
Hey there maam roxanne, @ayingroxie. I really look forward to success here in Steemit, especially when all Filipinos do it together by helping each other out. Let the bayanihan spirit unleash here.
Thanks for visiting and reading. Its really great to receive positive feedback! Best of luck
You never fail to impress me with your inspirational and even your political stand, @josejirafa! Indeed, Meritocracy exists to aim for one's development.
This is a great article worthy to be shared. You are not just great being an artist and a motivator, you are also great in expressing a political stand while toning down the topic's complexity into layman's point of view. Keep it up Aaron! You have a great future ahead!
Thanks so much for believing in my capabilities ate @smaeunabs. I find that when we enjoy what we do, it's much easier to make things flow. Same with your artworks, mkasuya. I know you enjoy making them. See around te! 😊
I agree I wasted a lot of time using my **** social media account. Spent 8 years posting and sharing with ZERO R.O I. .. I posted a lot of artworks and poems there and I got few good feedback. I am glad I met steemit. I statrted drawing again. I will be glad if you check them out.
I have the same sentiments as you. I even silently frown upon people who still continue to use social media despite steemit and other decentralized platforms around
I say screw the whole pyramid system and do your own niche.....nobody should feel bad (AND MANY DO) being called plankton
b.a./alliance
Lol. I guess what im trying to say is that it exits whether we deny it or not. But it shouldnt be viewed as a negative thing but rather an avenue for growth.
I guess i left out having fun. That has got to be the best motivation to stay on the platform
#thealliance
yeahhh gotta have fun or what's the point besides staring at numbers , fun and friends are totally worth the usual crap that happens in every forum and in real life sooo, :) so true