Yes that's very true what you say that people are willing to pay so much more just because of a brand experience. It's very much ego gratifying! A brand can easily get attached to your self image and this could increase the price of for example Steem if enough people feel that it brings massive value! Especially since now Steemit Inc have a 2 year head start so for others to get caught up they will have to work very fast! Or they may just make it much easier for themselves and start using Smart Media Tokens with Steem!

Nobody likes a brandless experience since it makes you feel cheap. Even when it comes to coffee. You want that premium feeling and that's why you pay so much more for a brand experience like Starbucks. Sort of feel that still people don't give a damn about Steem but as it rise more we will probably see a flood of new people enter this space. Will be super exciting for early adopters!