The next stop

As SMTs once again come back into focus and the mentions of Hivemind communities increase, has anyone thought what they are willing to do to be part of some of them? Although this is a decentralized community, the way SMTs work is that while they are bound to the rules of the Steem blockchain with things like 3 second transactions, they are able to add other rules atop the infrastructure. This means that they are able to moderate their own platforms in a number of ways.

Using an obvious example, it should be possible for an SMT to require verification of the user in some way in order to cut down on abuse or potentially, for the way their platform needs to operate. Although the technology itself is decentralized, the rules of the Dapps are centralized to do with what they please and while under their roof, their rules apply. This is obviously one area that if a Dapp asks for verification, some users will avoid.it like the plague while others won't mind in the slightest. It can become a point of differentiation and potentially competitive advantage even of used intelligently.

There are going to be other things that enter into the SMT rule books also that will change things up like reputation based voting or reward structures that might use something akin to @steem-ua to evaluate users or even account termination for breaking rules that they have decided are in violation. Demonetization is still possible with an SMT even though it isn't likely in the best interest of the the platform itself to become the next Youtube. Or is it?

If an SMT platform is able to keep itself clean through centralized policing, for average users who don't care much about such things as freedom of speech (as long as they aren't censored) and the risks of centralization, a platform devoid of most scam and a spam might give them a place they feel safe to create. Remember, that they will eventually be coming across from centralized platforms where they have felt comfortable already but want more control over their own data or, earning potential which means they might be much less the stereotypical desire for anonymity types than the average crypto enthusiast.

SMTs offer a veritable smorgasbord of options for developers to build upon and they are likely going to try and find ways to limit what would be considered abusive or toxic behavior to make their platforms friendly to contributor and consumer alike. As well as much more suitable for mainstream advertisers who generally want a certain amount of control (tight) over where their ads appear. Even though we might not want adverts on Steem, they will definitely be brought in to SMTs or, already exist.

Remember that SMTs can be applied to pre-existing platforms as a payment/ transaction layer and if implemented by an already well established content community, they will want t to conform and support the culture they have already cultivated and their users are comfortable with. I think that many are going to find however that the introduction of economic value to users is going to fundamentally shift their cultures and they will need to relearn and adjust accordingly.

As Steem users though, we are also going to have to come to terms with living in some more restricted environments if we choose to use and benefit from some of the Apps and communities that are to come. Compromises and concessions are going to likely need to be made in order to have access to some content or, value streams. There are likely going to be some tough decisions made by some users between earning and their personal stance on some aspects like privacy.

Mass adoption of the platform directly or through SMTs is going to massively change the way these economies work as well as the way the various cultures and sub-cultures across the platform interact and develop. Some of these Some of these decentralized/ semi-centralized platforms are going to offer such compelling opportunity for users that people are likely going to relinquish some of their personal control in order to have access or, simplified usage and experience.

Also, remember that mass adoption means friends, family and known enemies are going to turn up here more and more as time progresses. This means that in order for everyone to get what they want and have access to Facebook like size but distributed financial returns, there has to be a vast increase in the development of network users and this inevitably reduces chance of continued anonymity.

Mainstreaming is a long way away for crypto and for Steem but when it comes, it is going to present dilemmas that most of us have never faced in the walking work before. If you currently have a 10 cent vote at 100 dollar Steem, your wallet produces a 10 dollar vote from the pool 10x a day. What do your friends, family and community expect from you? Will they be happy you voting on the random things you enjoy here or, do they think you should spend your vote a little closer to home?

We aren't there yet but it is good to think about some of these things so we can get an idea of what could happen if we were to truly reach our community's potential.

Taraz
[ a Steem original ]

I have an early start tomorrow and will be going to bed soon so if you comment, I will get to them hopefully on my lunch break.