Pre-Steemfest Warmup: Meeting Steemians in Amsterdam
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://s14.postimg.org/7cbn97t9d/20161108_203634.jpg)
Inspired to write this after my first, and also very interesting meetup with a fellow Steemian: @shla-rafia
Two days ago I posted this up and @shla-rafia reached out and he was reasonably near to where I was. I did a quick check on his account before deciding on a meetup. I remember reading some of his posts, and the blog seems personable and consistent. So we met up in a nice, warm coffee-shop off one corner.
Two dots connected.
We hit it off like old pals right away, anchoring on relatable topics like Steemit, Bitcoin, and cryptocurrencies in general, before going to more personal stories. After a good hour, I was quickly reminded that these kind of interactions are not immediately replaceable by social media. I think I've read his posts before, but of course, the fullness of his character just wasn't there. But after meeting up, his blogroll becomes way more relevant now - as it should.
He has actually talked to hundreds of people about Steemit ever since he got into Amsterdam two months ago. A real nice, friendly, and enterprising individual. We forgot to take pictures.
Blockchain brings people together. Is that an overstatement?
Blockchain as universal language.
We have two modes of communication. First being the loose, flowery language that we use everyday like English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Hindi, etc. These are social languages, and they have the power to sway the hearts of men. The other kind of language can be best described as scientific, precise language. That is how scientists, mathematicians, programmers, architects, and such are able to collaborate and synthesize knowledge all around the world.
So now we have here a social blockchain acting as universal language with precise protocols. And it's built to support spoken language at its core for distributed judgement. Unlike the lofty declarations of men and nations, a blockchain is codified to perform as expected. It serves as a background process for building strong communities and incentivizing contributions.
More dots connected.
So I met @roelandp, @firepower, @anyx, and @steemrollin yesterday and honestly, this kind of friendship is not something that I experience everyday, also knowing that we're all really people from different walks of life. Maybe that's simply the magic of a social-centric blockchain. Or maybe I'm just new to making friends online lol.
We had BBQ and cakes yesterday night. It was good.
what's this???
just a cheese pacakge a took a photograph of ;)
This is so cool Kevin! I will enter tomorrow the Volkhotel shouting your name really really loud, Kevinnnnnnnnn, Kevinnnnnnnnnnnn where are you!!!!!
The place is quite huge.. i dont think everyone would be able to hear you lol.. cya tmr man
today !
cool :) see you guys soon!
see you there @good-karma :)
Thank you for posting this. It really shows what an awesome community and people we have on Steemit. One can really be proud to be part of it.
It's all coming along pretty well indeed :)
So nice to see this fest coming alive. Blockchain will really be a huge, huge part of a majority of people in the coming future.
SteemOn! :D
@roelandp sure did a great job organizing the whole thing!
Wish i could be there. Have fun guys!
There will be live microblogging conducted under the @steemfest account, i think.. look out for those!
Awesome! We have the youngest steemit user around this table (but I cannot see his/her beer :D )
Dad is having some on his behalf :)
isn't this cheating? :D
Thanks for the insights and update.
Np , and thanks for reading @stephen-somers :)
This is awesome. My plane leaves in like 12 hours! Looking forward to meeting all you guys.
Cya later @burnin !
You mean, all those Steemsters have faces too?!?!
Thanks for the update and personal touch. Wish I could be there with all you youngsters.
Yeah I was surprised there's a real person behind every account! Lol.. btw everyone becomes young when they join in the group :)