Update, Month 10: 🥛 Glass Half Full? Or Half Empty 🥛
Continuing to blog on all the fascinating aspects of my experience on our Steem blockchain, here is my tenth monthly update.
Since posting my introduction on 14 May 2019, these updates represent my "log" of sorts, giving my readers a monthly window into my "journey" through the Steemisphere - a new "virtual world" based on the creation of our Steem blockchain.
So ... "What are you doing 'in there' @roleerob and how is it going?"
In response, off we go then into the "April Fool's" edition of my monthly update! 😉
Status or "Executive Summary"
To begin, here is a brief overview to answer the "how is it going" question we should probably be "checking in" with ourselves and answering, from time to time.
Statistics
There is an old saying, "numbers don't lie." Yes, well, there is also an old joke about the executive asking the accountant, "what do the numbers say about how we're doing?" to which the accountant replied, "what do you want them to say?" ... 😉
Required to issue a monthly report for most of my career, with numbers to quantify progress, here are a few:
To date on my Steem "journey," these numbers are the most important. The first three quantify our influence on adding value to the Steem blockchain. And the second two, the actual work we are putting in to add value ourselves. Given all of our rich diversity, I trust we all have one focused objective in common - adding value to the Steem blockchain.
We want the value to go up!
How is that working for us? Well, you see here the market numbers, i.e. the "bottom line" of how our investment is doing. Basically, SBD is holding steady around $1.000 USD, as intended by design, and STEEM is up nicely. A long way to go, to make my investment "in here" profitable, but at least now it appears to be heading in right direction!
Glass Half Full? Or Half Empty
This old phrase is commonly referenced, at least here in America, in describing whether one is optimistic or pessimistic. Positive and upbeat or negative and complaining.
To the first, my typical response is I am a "realistic optimist." I do not think being foolish about what is obvious leads to positive outcomes in life, no matter how upbeat we may wish to be. On the second, I don't view it as that simple. As an engineer, both by temperament and training, I am naturally inclined to look at what is outright wrong or at least restricted / limited and focus on making improvements. It can "come out" as being too focused on what is "wrong" and not enough on what is "right."
As an older man, I have learned to do better at striking a balance. But, it is a conscious effort and, on any given day, I can "snap back" to my normal inclinations. Every day then is a "new adventure" as to how I do ... 😉
So ... In this post, I will be touching on some aspects of being actively involved on the Steem blockchain which are "glass half full" perspectives. But, I refuse to turn a "blind eye" to those which are "glass half empty." We all then have to come to our own conclusions about whether we chose to continue to actively engage "in here."
Engagement "Formula"
A steady work-in-progress, is attempting to maintain the following "rhythm" in the investment of my time:
- Engaging "down" with all of the many great Steemians steadily adding value and working hard, who have a smaller stake and doing what I can to encourage them.
- Engaging "up" and adding value, as much as I can manage, to the posts of those who may chose to ... uhhh ... increase my "influence" ... 😉 ... to help those in #1 ...
- Adding value by writing my own posts, so #1 and #2 have some idea of why they would want to hopefully "engage" with me ...
I don't have my stopwatch out or anything. I just try to be mindful of switching from one to the other. Part of the "flow," as I have written about elsewhere, is naturally regulated by your decline in voting power.
Awards and Accomplishments
In this section of my monthly update, I highlight anything which stood out to me in the way of an award or accomplishment. As much as anything, it's for my reference, when I look back over time and ask myself,
"Are you really accomplishing anything meaningful 'in there' @roleerob?" So ... Let's see about this past month ...
"Automated" API Call for Latest "Digital Asset" Pricing
Only indirectly related to the Steem blockchain, I solved a major problem covered somewhat by my latest post.
Specifically, I mentioned my worksheets built to send and receive API calls to and from CoinMarketCap (CMC) for the latest pricing, as needed, were suddenly displaying the following:
Illustration: CoinMarketCap API Call "Deprecated" ... 😧
Sadly, all my hard work a while back was soon to be "deprecated," i.e. replaced. 😞
The details of what followed are too technical for this post, but at the end of a major investment of time, I have a database now capturing the latest "digital asset" pricing. At the click of a button, stored in a table which, in turn, updates pricing in 3 separate spreadsheets I use for accounting for my "digital asset" investments.
With that complete, I am now working on P & L calculations for all "digital asset" transactions, for the filing of my 2018 taxes, before the April 15th deadline.
There are some very challenging aspects of our participation on the Steem blockchain, when it comes to even thinking about accounting for tax consequences. I will likely write more about this in my next monthly update, when I am on the other side of what I am faced with now ...
Publishing my Steemisphere Posts
Until further notice, these posts are what I consider to be my greatest accomplishment in contributing to the Steem blockchain. Why?
Here is what I said in my introductory comments:
”You are reading what I would like to have been quickly introduced to, when I was where you are right now.”
I wanted to help others avoid what I had been through, as much as possible.
Designed to be complimentary to each other, here are the two posts created:
- Welcome to the Steemisphere! Getting Off to a "Flying Start," Version 1.0 – Covers the full spectrum of what a new Steemian needs to know to get off to a “flying start.”
- User's Guide to the Steemisphere, Version 1.0 – Covers the recommended apps and tools a new Steemian needs as they begin to engage with our Steem blockchain.
Those are the highlights of my main contributions to adding value to the Steem blockchain over this last month.
What about the contributions of others? I cover that next ...
Monthly Highlights
Beginning with my first monthly update post, in this section I was inspired to try to capture "the good, the bad, and the ugly" every month. Specifically focused on my interactions with others on this "social network."
So ... What do we have this month:
👍 👍 Two Thumbs Up 👍 👍
Working with ”systems,” as well as managing the work of others, for much of my career, I have always emphasized ”people” over ”process” believing that is the right priority. From a lot of experience, I know the best systems are greatly diminished, if not ”manned” by competent, engaged people. A great team will always solve the problem of less-than-ideal systems. I have never experienced the reverse to be true ...
This section, then, will always be about the people I “meet” in our Community. Specifically, those who have had the greatest impact on my "journey."
Later tonight, the Pay It Forward Community (@pifc) will post its 🎂 one year anniversary 🎂 weekly contest! That is a long time for its creator, @thedarkhorse, to keep "fighting the good fight." Many of the most important associations I have developed on my Steem "journey" have been through this community.
Hopefully, this community will continue on its mission into a second year!
The Ten Thousand Minnow (@tenkminnows) initiative, originated conceived by @steevc in this post(I think ...), is a major project intended to significantly increase the ranks of the "middle class" here on the Steem blockchain - those with VP between 500 and 5000.
Working with @paulag in setting an initial target of 250 new minnows in a month, here is their latest post on having achieved that objective!
Putting "my money where my mouth is," in a tangible expression of appreciation for what they mean to me, I have sent SBI shares out to these accounts.
👍 One Thumb Up 👍
The Steem Alliance (Accounts: @steemalliance and Discord) has progressed its efforts to the point of asking Steemians to "register to vote." Here is their latest post - 6 Days Left! Have You Registered To VOTE?. It contains both links to getting registered to vote. And the proposals on which those interested will be asked to vote.
It remains to be seen how successful this initiative will be. I want to be optimistic. On a "decentralized blockchain" how much are people going to invest, both of their time and "treasure," into something like this? Will they specifically invest the time to make well-informed decisions? Will they even know about it, in the first place?
Time will tell! I hope the efforts of those involved to even make this attempt will be well supported.
All those who are interested have until Apr. 4th to get registered. I do not currently know what has been proposed, for registering beyond that, e.g. if you weren't even a participant on the Steem blockchain at this time ...
👎 One Thumb Down 👎
Not an expert, but as far as I can tell, @hendrikdegrote has completed his powerdown that I wrote about last month. So far, he has yet to move the resulting 1.3M STEEM out of his account.
Perhaps long-term it will come to light there is a positive aspect of this activity for our Steem blockchain. Perhaps ... But, for now, the upvotes of one of the biggest supporters of the awesome Curie curation team have considerably less impact than they once did.
There are other accounts I have made a note of which are powering down. Significant accounts. Well-known accounts. Why? I don't know, but you will be hard pressed to find anything written anywhere on the Steem blockchain with a favorable view of powering down ...
👎 👎 Two Thumbs Down 👎 👎
A neutral party to the pathetic flag wars written about previously, I can now be counted among the "silent casualties." I have been "cut off" from support of one of the "enemy combatants," due to my support of another "neutral party," about a completely different topic. Within much too close a time frame (think bots programmed to search for and then respond ...) to be a coincidence ...
I won't bore you with the details. The loss of votes is not a big deal to me. The principle absolutely is. Activity of this kind has nothing to do with curating "quality content," but instead everything to do with intimidation. Pathetic. And, as stated before, the Steem blockchain has no effective remedy ...
It is incomprehensible to me that a major investor in our Steem blockchain, being anywhere near this type of activity, let alone directly impacted by it, would remain an investor. Full stop. Period.
This crap weighs heavily on my mind, as I am routinely asking myself, "what the heck" am I doing "in here?" At least for now, the positive impact of efforts like those reported on in my 👍👍 section keep me going.
For now ...
Closing
So, is the "glass half full?" Or "half empty?" As with many things in life, it depends on one's perspective and upon what one places the most value. Overall then a somewhat quiet month for @roleerob on the Steem blockchain. With a lot for me to reflect on, when it comes to continuing to active participate on it. Given all the time I have invested up to now, it is not an easy decision to reach. More to come ...
Thank you for reading my monthly update. I trust you have found something of value in it.
Until "next time," all the best to you for a better tomorrow, as we all work together to build our Steem Community! 👍 😊
Respectfully,
Steemian @ roleerob
Posted using SteemPeak and “immutably enshrined in the blockchain” on Monday, 1 April 2019!
Interested to read more of my monthly updates on my Steem "journey"? Great!
- Update, Month 1: Engaged with a 4-Figure Stake in the Future
- Update, Month 2: Still Engaged with an Increased Stake and "Growing" ...
- Update, Month 3: Still (Somewhat) Engaged with an Increased Stake and "Recalibrating" ...
- Update, Month 5: Still Engaged with an Increased Stake and "Doubling Down" ... - Won @trufflepig's #1 "Truffle of the Day" award!
- Update, Month 6: "Fully" Engaged with Increased Stake and "Resolute" ... - Won @trufflepig's #1 "Truffle of the Day" award!
- Update, Month7: 🐬 Starting 2019 as a Dolphin! 🐬
- Update, Month 9: Safely Home and "Working" on the "Next Chapter"
I like these updates from you, @roleerob ! You are always very thorough as you analyze your achievements and journey-so-far :)
To be honest, I'm the type that fails to sit down and reflect, as a person, so reading other people's reflections help me to slow down in my own hectic schedule :D
I think Curie will find a way to maintain its fight as the group continues to try and find other sponsors. Manual curation is a passion of mine so I hope the platform will continue to find a way to help groups that are designed to identify and promote quality contents.
As for the flagwars, that was (and still is) an unfortunate business :( I am sad to hear that you had been negatively affected :( The earnings aside, I think like you, it is the principles that count... I hope the bigger players of this platform will think about their conduct and how they look like to outsiders :3
I enjoyed this post, @roleerob :) I look forward to your next one, as always!
As always, great to hear from you @veryspider. I always find benefit from your perspective.
It is encouraging to know this @veryspider. We come in all “shapes and sizes” don’t we? 😉 My preference is to be more reflective in nature and more philosophical in perspective, if I am given the time. That is my “comfort zone” … Thankfully others have different “orientations” … Overall, as I imagine with you, I think that is a good thing, as it would be pretty boring and, worse, likely very troubling, if we were all the same.
Good to know from someone who has an “insiders view” that Curie is going to be okay. For the sake of us all, I certainly hope so. I think it is hard to overstate the value the various curating communities have on our Steem blockchain.
Yes, we can certainly agree on that point. But, so far, I am not seeing what I would have hoped to have seen by now. Fairly typical, though, in the “real world” that we often don’t see effective responses, until the “crises” is big enough to threaten them vs. just us … Well, that’s enough out of me. Just the $0.02 of an “old war horse” who has experienced a lot in life … 😉
Thank you for contributing value to this post @veryspider. You are a very effective content creator, so it means a lot to me. “Engaging” with good folks, such as yourself, is what currently keeps me “coming back” … 😊
Thank you for sharing your valuable perspectives as it is often necessary to get some as we get emotional about that many times that could blind reason. I try to always look positively as I feel that it is still an early adoption phase and the potential is there. Despite the many challenges, I emphasize the value of our community is something that is truly undervalued which is why I continue. I have also enjoyed my time here and now would struggle to do something different with my time. I have to do my quarterly update as well so expect to share notes with you my friend!
Posted using Partiko iOS
Yes @newageinv ...
... that is a good way to express it. I have never been a big fan of turning away from facing whatever challenges there may be straight up. To do otherwise strikes me as a form of delusion. Short-term, we may get away with it. Long-term, there is almost invariably a price to be paid. And not a little one ...
That said, I do value the opinions of others. And listen carefully to what they have to say. With you and others, I do appreciate much of what I have experienced on the Steem blockchain. And wish to see it be successful. We'll see what the future holds in getting some of its shortcomings addressed.
Are you back to work today? Or did you allow a little "recovery" time from your international trip?
Back at work! Just got out to get my next installment of my travel related post out a bit later! It was a brutal day back!
Posted using Partiko iOS
Ohhh @newageinv ...
... sorry to hear it. But I am familiar with the feeling. My wife and I refer to it as, "back to our real lives" ... 😉
Similar to us! We say “back to reality” especially after getting used to being served by the great people of Colombia!
Posted using Partiko iOS
Glass is half full and getting fuller. People are fleeing mainstream social media and looking for alternatives - the steem blockchain and all associated apps and websites are only getting better and better. Even if steemit.com is stagnating, all it takes is a single steem blockchain app to "go viral" and before you know it, 0.001 steem will be worth a steak dinner!
Posted using Partiko Android
I appreciate your enthusiasm @ironshield. And, like you, I would find anything remotely close to what you are suggesting appealing. The ability of a decentralized blockchain to handle the "darker side" of our human nature has yet to be demonstrated effectively. From my perspective ...
We'll see what "evolves" over time ... 😉
Thanks for stopping by!
This is one of the phrases I use the most ... As much as possible I try to see the good things in the situation, I think that fills us more than seeing the glass half empty, we should not highlight the negative or what is lacking ... Although there are times, where it is difficult to see the empty half full hahaha ... Have a happy afternoon.
Yes @blessed-girl ...
... that is certainly a good trait to have. And going out of our way to only "highlight the negative" should be avoided.
That said, we do not want to let anything stand in the way of facing the truth squarely. Whatever that may be, as I believe to do otherwise leads us to delusion.
There are a number of aspects of actively participating on the Steem blockchain which are very positive. "Meeting" you has been a wonderful example for me. As has the association with a number of others. And I love seeing what it represents, as a vehicle of hope, to others. Again, you are an excellent example.
The limitations of a decentralized blockchain to restrain the "darker side" of our human nature, however, are growing increasingly more clear to me. As a result, I have witnessed injustice that is simply not right. And there is no effective means of redress for those affected. At least not today. Tomorrow? We'll see ...
I hope you are having a very nice day as well!
Howdy sir roleerob! Is it possible to be both "glass half full and glass half empy?" lol. I have no idea because there seems to
constantly be both good and bad news coming in.
Hey did you write about your new direction yet? I'm curious to know what you're working on!
Yes @janton ...
... I think so, or at least I hope so, as it seems we experience both, on any given day "in here." I have made an attempt to strike a balance between presenting both positive aspects, as well as not pretend I don't know about or see negative aspects ...
Nope, haven't written any posts on it, as it is still a "work in progress." Right now, as I refer to in this post, I am just "clearing the deck" and getting some issues resolved ... like taxes ... before turning my full attention to the "next chapter."
What I am certain of, is it will have considerably less "striving" involved, as I don't have the need to earn the income I once did. Nor am I willing to suffer the health effects of the daily grind, associated with it ...
Hard to say right now, exactly how that will "play out," but I will write about it, once the "fog clears" ... 😉
How about you? You getting away from the "blue light" of your computer screen and taking in some sunlight from a day out in the beautiful Spring weather?
Very cool report.
I haven't heard of that change in the Coinmarketcap API. When did that happen?
I'll have to update my XLS, too. 😑
Within the last couple of weeks @trincowski. That said, I suppose it would depend on what exact API route you followed, as I know it has changed 2 or 3 times, since I first put mine together in the Fall of 2017. The older ones, as shown, were impacted.
What I believe they are "driving" their "customers" to is signing up for API key, so they can track your personal "hits" on their servers. Stay below a certain threshold and limit the info you want, it remains a free service. Beyond that, you have to pay, depending on what you want.
Thank you so much for participating in the Partiko Delegation Plan Round 1! We really appreciate your support! As part of the delegation benefits, we just gave you a 3.00% upvote! Together, let’s change the world!
Hi @roleerob!
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In our last Algorithmic Curation Round, consisting of 203 contributions, your post is ranked at #44.
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