• • • Edit: This is directed toward the user above me and NOT the @gardenofeden.

My question to you is: How does de-centralization work within your network (both metaphorically and... literally - because wasn't the above link you provided just an advertisement for your network??

If we're talking about network structuring (and at the foundation, this IS what a market IS), centralization as a starting ground has the possibility in being completely superior to "complete de-centralization": (notice the air quotes).

In a true completely decentralized network, the starting ground is completely open to a group of organized thugs - let us call them "the illuminati" to pay homage to your username - taking over the system and robbing the power of the creators almost instantaneously (who BUILT the system, who SUSTAIN the system, who PROTECT the system) and, in a very literal way, be having the creators of the system working for "the illuminati" - from a standpoint of network influence. If the creators were kosher with it - why not? If they weren't, they'd probably end up pulling the plug on their own creation for reasons of "content value digression" (let's just say from "the illuminati" ignoring valuable content in general... and/or by being assholes in general... which would translate into users ceasing to use the network in general)... and by incurring this process (in general), "the illuminati" has succeeded in destroying the existing starting ground completely decentralized network...

It is then easy to build upon the ruins by copying much of the former network's structure - altering it's dynamics slightly (enough to obfuscate that it is actually a centralized network *in secret) while wearing the label of "completely de-centralized" - luring the users of the former network to participate within it... At this point, it is easy for "the illuminati" to become whales (in the Steemit terminology) with zero accountability measures and have it appear that the users themselves are choosing what is valuable content and what is not.

In this manner, the users who participate in "the illuminati" network are blindly following a network structured in zero-accountability with the delusion that it is actually a network that posses it...

In many ways, I see the genius of a "completely de-centralized" starting ground network with obscured accountability and can appreciate it on that level. However, as I see it, "the illuminati" network itself is eternally and inherently weak in structure... If the actual truth were ever to be revealed, the entire network would collapse and all resources of both the participating users and of "the illuminati" would vanish into the aether from which they were conjured...

Centralization as a starting ground is completely necessary if there is going to be any kind of accountability or long-term sustainability... So in the end, it really depends upon the principles and standards of the creators in the starting ground centralized network, and how they play out with the principles and standards of the users - given that the network itself is able to be held accountable.

For now, I believe it is best to trust in the creators of Steemit (the true whales) and believe that they will help nurture their creation into greater development... and as long as this information is present and available to see for the users, isn't it true that the network itself is then being held accountable? :-)