How Steemit is Bringing Me to a Higher Level
Say what you will about Steemit. Call it a scam. Say that the "whales" are all bought paid for, and that "the game" is rigged. Even go ahead and bash cryptocurrencies in general, saying they're not real money.
Say what you want. I'm getting paid to write.
The best thing, though, is that I am getting paid to improve.
As I was just thinking of ideas for my next piece, my most recent Facebook share popped into my mind.
I had shared a somewhat acid meme regarding World Trade Center 7 and 9/11. It wasn't what you would call "vitriolic," per se, but it was what you might call "condescending."
I thought of the piece I had just written for Steemit about an hour ago. I had written it from a real place, and put real time and effort into making it something that might bring value into someone else's life.
This value is of course subjective, but via the exchange of ideas, thoughts, experiences and the very important human connection that comes from sharing our weaknesses, we can find healing in the minds of others.
As I'm remembering my Facebook post I think: You know what? What is really going to change people? Will my labeling total strangers "bootlickers" and Stockholm Syndrome sufferers ever really do much for the cause of liberty, or bring about real change in the world?
My post on Steemit had a much different quality than that meme. It's a different vibration. It might get people to look at things a different way because the tone is respectful, and I am actually sharing a piece of myself, instead of just bonking people over the head with an avalanche of facts and merciless cold-steel-logic knives to the face.
Since I have been on Steem I have seen a few things which have really impressed me. A couple of which it would not be much of a stretch to call miracles. Have you ever seen an Anarcho-Capitalist and an Anarcho-Communist have an actual conversation and respectful dialogue? Perhaps hell hath frozen over.
Now, if you know me, you know I have no problem with vitriol. We need it. We need the acid attacks. We need ridicule. To some extent I even believe these are necessary even for the preservation of human dignity. I also believe it is sometimes necessary to call someone who is acting like a bonehead, a bonehead.
All of the above is simply to say this:
When people are incentivized to do well, and that incentive connects with a passion, good things are going to happen.
Why do I take an extra second to think, revise, edit and consider, before I make a comment or post on Steemit?
Well, part of it is the money. But another part, and maybe the most important part, is that because of the money people are engaging here on a very real level and putting out quality work. Compared to sites like Facebook, etc., I see earnestness coming through, and so I want to give it myself, in return.
I deleted my Facebook post. There's always plenty of chances to post acid memes and call people I barely know "statist bootlickers."
That frequency of "communication" will always be there, and I love it for what it is, but I'm more excited now about this cryptocurrency and platform where a great deal of people actually seem to be giving a damn.
To hell with war. Let's Steem this motherf***er all the way home to Peace Town, peoples!
Graham Smith is a Voluntaryist activist, writer, and musician residing in Niigata, Japan.
Interesting
Not all are lucky as you. Many do not get absolutely nothing for posts. No money, no attention. A lot of really great and creative posts are ignored. I think you found your readers.
I don't think it's about luck, at least for the most part. Like most things in life, getting success takes time, work and dedication. It's the same thing in Steemit. I don't know the OP, but if he is getting a lot of votes, he has probably already built his audience earlier here in Steemit or elsewhere. Keep at it, and if people like your work, the votes will come :)
So true, and very well said.
I struggle with this one. As I learn more about game theory and evolutionarily stable strategies, I realize it's important to have mechanisms in place which can not only fend off the attackers, but those attackers can be stimulants for more beneficial growth.
The part where I get stuck, I think, is when when I consider the benefits of non-violent communication over other approaches. Judgements don't help people grow. Some strategies do even better when there are no destructive elements left in significant quantity to make a difference. At what point, if any, will we not need the acid attacks? We're, in many ways, beyond natural selection evolution already, self-directing our growth as a species. Does that mean we need a new rule book which isn't as concerned about evolution?
Any way, sorry if I'm off topic. I've had similar revelations about the differences between Facebook and Steemit, and I truly enjoy being part of this community so much more.
Thanks for the comment, Luke. I guess what I mean is there are times, in my opinion, where something is horrendous, and the other party so ignorant or impervious to reason, that a little vitriol can sting and burn its way through that shell. Some of my best education has come from being told in very unflattering terms what I am doing wrong or where my belief is misguided. Mind you, I don't believe this kind of communication is good or beneficial, generally, but someone seeking the truth might be shocked and scandalized into rethinking something when that nerve is touched. I agree with you, though, that there are higher forms of communication in many if not most all situations. Sometimes, as I said, I think it is necessary to our dignity to use very decisive and divisive terms. For instance, when I talk about Obama's drone strikes on children. I don't try to put anything gently. Still, I guess I am a bit divided on this. Seems like you have pondered communication techniques quite a bit.
If you're interested in the communication side of things, NVC is a good place to start. I get what you mean about needing to burn through the shell. I've had friends describe my approach as a "bulldozer" before and, over time... and hopefully with a little more wisdom with age, I've come to realize there may be better, more subtle ways to help people see my ideas as their own and accept things internally much easier. Granted, I'm still pretty bad at this, but I do much better at it with text because I have to slow my thinking down a bit.
All that said, sometimes you really do want to remove the side of a mountain as quickly as possible and a bulldozer is the best way to do that. At least, that's the excuse I often use when I'm being an ass again. :)