Steem Debates: Delegation - Helping The Rich Get Richer?
The new delegation committee have obviously been very busy. They have a new post about how they are structuring old and new delegations, which they have clearly worked very hard on.
However I think there is one point that needs to be addressed. I've posted a couple of questions on their post which hopefully will be answered. Though my comments are being ghosted by Sir Butthurt so I realise they may not be seen, which is why I'm making this post.
What Is Delegation?
Before we go on, I thought I'd better explain what delegation is for all those Steemians reading this who have no idea.
Quite simply delegation works in the same way a patronage worked in Elizabethan times whereby a rich benefactor would support the work of an artist that he or she liked.
In this case, the rich benefactor is Steemit and the artists are me, you and everyone else on the blockchain.
So if Steemit, or rather the delegation team, feel that your project is worthwhile, then they will delegate some steem to it.
Delegation Examples
In the past we've had delegations to projects such as @sndbox run by the brilliant and energetic @voronoi, and we have also had delegations to individuals such as @sweetsssj
So whether you're a group or an individual you can apply for delegation. Which you can use to enrich a particular community and of course the choice to self-vote is always there.
No Fair!
Okay so now you know what delegation is and what it can potentially be used for, let's get onto the bit where I think the new process falls down.
In order to put yourself in the running for a delegation in this new paradigm. You have to pay 40, 65 or 100 SBD, which at the moment is running at about 92% of the cost of a United States Dollar.
For me this will allow rich projects and individuals to apply, whilst keeping poorer ones outside in the cold, watching with their noses smooshed up against the window.
Revenue Burn
Let's get this clear right now. This is not an attempt by the delegation committee to make money. The Steem Dollars are burned and go to no one.
What they are doing is in fact quite noble, they are trying to help the currency by deflating it a bit.
However as I've already opined, I don't think it is fair. I personally have a project or two in mind, but I can't afford to throw money at something that may not yield any returns. That is gambling pure and simple, and the number one rule of gambling is to only bet what you can afford to lose.
I understand as well that a donation stops spam, however I just think the fees are too high, after all, these are fees for applications.
So my plea to the committee is to drastically lower those fees to something like 1, 1.50, and 2 SBD. That way some poor project in India has just as much chance as getting a delegation as a rich one in the United States.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? SHOULD THERE BE ANY FEES TO THE APPLICATION PROCESS? HAVE YOU EVER PAID TO APPLY TO SOMETHING BEFORE? OR PERHAPS YOU THINK THIS IS JUST ANOTHER WAY FOR WHALES AND WHALE PROJECTS TO GET MORE POWERFUL?
AS EVER, LET ME KNOW BELOW!
The thing that I am iffy about are there are no provisions for Anti-Abuse projects like @steemflagrewards. We aren't a business but what we do helps legitimate business on Steem.
We could use a delegation to implement a flag and burn campaign against misuse of promotion services, spam or abuse outside of @steemcleaners scope and this would help the credibility of the entire ecosystem imho.
Hell, would love to go after higher stake spammers. We just need a bit more muscle.
Hopefully, @aggroed, @eonwarped and @starkerz could develop an application process for projects that are not oriented around their own profit.
I would love to keep doing what I do but without @utopian-io or another dev sponsor. Things look pretty bleak atm.
TL;DR: Anti-Abuse projects serving the community should have a distinct application process with minimal or no fee.
This is very well understood and has been talked about at length. it is clear that some project will generate a profit and others will provide a valuable service to the community but won't generate a profit. We are developing an evaluation process that takes both types of project into account.
Thanks for the reply. We'll be standing by for that process and tightening up the code in the meantime.
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That's good to hear @starkerz, and that goes some way to quelling my concerns that it is only rich projects that will be able to afford to apply for delegation. Thanks for stopping by and clearing that up.
Nice one, keep up the good work!
Cg
The price will certainly be raised as a point of discussion in the meeting tonight
That's all I can ask; cheers.
Cg
I would say so far that you must note that these prices are applicable to delegation renewals only. This does not necessarily apply to new delegation applications. When the process for new delegation applications is issued by us, it is likely that the price will be lower in those cases
Aha! Okay that makes sense, I totally missed that one. I thought I read in the post it would be for old and new delegations.
Thanks for clearing that up for me and anyone reading!
Cg
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Thanks, appreciate it!
Cg
my read of the post from the @delegationtrust is that they want to delegate to support projects with a pretty clear viability for the platform. That application fee is a good way of separating the chaff from the wheat.
If your project is that uncertain at this point you are likely way too early to be applying. You'd be better to build interest and support in the community. Small delegations from a group of people also has the advantage of not putting all your eggs in one basket.
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I understand the sentiment, however I don't believe it will achieve what it sets out to do. All that will happen, is that if somebody wants to start a project and has the money to ask for delegation, then they will get onto the list.
How long before the list is simply populated by only those that can afford it?
Cg
that is largely the idea. If your business plan can't cover the cost of doing business is it a plan?
Excellent article, it feels like the common man voice of steem.
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Thank you.
Cg
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