To be fair to Facebook, i don't think it set out to do this. Mark Z. got on the wild ride to make himself rich and famous. Then the marketing guys got involved, then the shady characters moved in and starting using Facebook for a purpose besides voting on what chick is the hottest.

Personally I hate Facebook. Why? Because the usability of it breaks just about every rule in the book. As a website it sucks so badly I can't even begin to tell you what's wrong with it.

And yet, users get past all of that and are addicted to Facebook. I know people who, if you suggested they spend some time doing something else, like going outdoors, or going to another website, they look at you as if you have suggested strangling their pet kitten.

As with TV for many people Facebook has become their window to the world, their only window, and that's dangerous.

It's interesting that you describe yourself and your girlfriend as Facebook survivors, because in a way that's what you are. You've kicked the habit, almost. You're still in recovery, and there will always be that pull - trying to get you to come back.

"Just check your status, just read a post, just do a line of coke, it'll be fine."

So what is it that we hope for Steemit?

That people will replace their Facbook habit with a Steemit habit?
Perhaps. but I think the purpose and people on Steemit are inherently different, and I think we have an opportunity to create something together that is what a social network should be.

For example - the photo competitions encourage people to go out into the real word and participate in their hobby and then come back and tell us about it.
We have meetups happening all around the world. If we can have a focus on bringing the interaction online out into the real world, where people do real things and meet real people, instead of just flicking through today's memes, then Steemit will have done something incredibly positive for the planet.