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Hello STEEM!

I haven't learned enough about the platform yet to be expert-level comfortable with uploading video and posting to steemit, but I thought it's time to quit lurking and to thank the people who have already done so much to make this a vibrant and welcoming platform.

I'm a software developer with a significant interest in blockchain technologies and distributed systems. I'm going to be spending much of my time here producing video and interacting with the DTube community. That being said, I'm also really pretty thrilled with the seemingly friction-free interaction between all of the applications on the STEEM blockchain. Since I spend a fair amount of time thinking and typing, posting to Steemit and interacting with the Steemit community seems like a good natural fit.

The things that stand out to me as really important qualities of this bold new experiment are:

• Decentralized/Distributed systems are a vast improvement over the existing structures. Empowering everyone to create and share knowledge is a core principle of the internet. I'm glad we are taking steps to fulfill that goal.
• Freedom of speech and freedom of expression are vital aspects of a well-functioning society. When powerful people and organizations attempt to control everyone to suit their own purposes the result is usually sub-optimal.
• This kind of individual empowerment is not without its risks, and can easily get out of hand. It is up to all of us to treat others with respect if we want a world which supports that kind of freedom. I am encouraged by what I've seen so far with the community that is forming on STEEM, and I'm thrilled to be a part of it.

Just so that mini sermon isn't misconstrued, I am not suggesting that we all have to agree about everything. My view of human interaction is that disagreement is both unavoidable and actually useful. My hope is that we all continually strive to be good listeners, that we learn from each other, and that we find ways to exist with others in beneficial ways. I'm not so naive to expect that everyone will behave. I do expect that if enough of us are thoughtful and civilized, but also strong and committed to creating a society which works correctly, then those that wish to create mayhem and harm will not get very far in their pursuits.

And with that, we're off to the races. It's up to you. Don't let this turn into a cesspool, we already have enough of those. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention it, but I for one welcome our new robot overlords. Doesn't ever hurt to CYA on that topic :)

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