Steemit Tips for Success: Mischaracterization is Just as Bad as Plagiarism!

As someone who has performed top-level research for Global 500 companies, as well as financial analysis for multimedia clients, reputation is everything. Depending on the platform (such as a journalistic piece), draconian penalties are dished for those that run afoul of various copyright and plagiarism laws.

However, incoming Steemit users -- in addition to hardened veterans -- should be aware that mischaracterization is just as bad as copyright or plagiarism violations. In such cases, the offender is constructing a framework that is inaccurate or downright false.

Mischaracterization is actually more common than you may initially believe. It typically occurs when you deploy absolute statements, such as never, always, or similar iterations.

A Lie is a Lie

I came across a Steemit article from a very successful financial salesperson (and alleged con artist). I will not disclose the name, because this post is not about vigilantism. Rather, I want to share common pitfalls that could hurt your Steemit reputation, and potentially incur outside problems.

This salesperson pumped out an article declaring that the U.S. dollar hit a seven-month low, yet the mainstream media is refusing to report on the problem. While I'm no fan of the MSM, I'm also not a proponent of intellectual dishonesty.

Unfortunately, based on the popularity of this article, many Steemit users don't realize that they are rewarding a patently false article. Reuters did in fact mention the dollar hitting a seven-month low, and get this -- they also mentioned that gold futures were jumping on the news!

My friends, I'm all for passionate dialogue and debate. However, I am NOT for outright mischaracterizations and strawman arguments. Otherwise, if we stoop to this level, how are we any better than the elites we criticize!?

House of Cards

I understand that mischaracterizations, false statements, and outright deceptions are the easy way to success. But that success is an unsure one, a house of cards waiting for an errant hand or an unpredicted flow of air.

You should be aware that one mistake could trigger an avalanche. For instance, I previously mentioned that this salesperson is an alleged con artist. Now, that accusation begins to stick more, considering that the person had no qualms about issuing a patently false statement.

You want to avoid strikes against both your Steemit reputation, as well as your personal/professional reputation. If you don't know something as an absolute fact, it is best to hedge your statements with non-absolute assertions.

Otherwise, you could end up in a deeper pile than you originally envisioned!