Thought provoking questions for sure. I think some people leave because they don't have the skills to do more than copy/paste stuff they like. Others are realistic about the time to money ratio, so they are just being practical and decide to leave. Many are confused about how it all works. It took many months for me to figure out how to use the site, let alone turn STEEM into Bitcoin. Some don't get the connection/attention they crave, and their talent being ignored is bad for their mental health. I could go on.
Months back, I could transfer 3 Steem, and get around a 10 spot of spendable currency. Last time I did a transfer, I didn't do the math first, and with the fee taken out, I received 35¢. I'm no longer chasing a dream. I'm here in part because I like the process of making posts, and reading posts. I'll admit I also like recognition. If there was no reply to posts or comments, I think I would leave. Steem was on the upswing when I started, so interaction was rarely lacking. What would be the point if the population was so low, that nobody was even around to see my posts? I also get it up my sleeve to be an activist, and spread the word about this or that. That said, I put Steem away for periods of time, but history shows I always come back. Community is I think the main reason people are staying. They have found meaningful friendships, and a loving community.
Not that I'm planning on packing up and leaving for good, but I am more understanding than I used to be toward those who quit.
Curious now about your reasons for sticking around?
Hope and stubbornness. That's why I'm still here anyway ;)
I had high hopes for Steem. But that got shattered when I saw how it's a plutocratic system, when the rich didn't like my success of being voted on, or the content, and flagged me. I was being flagged 80-100% off my rewards for months. I delegated 30,000 SP for 6 months about, then came back and haven't been flagged non-stop. But my high aspirations are not what they used to be after seeing how the power is really set up to do what it wants here. Money rules, plutocracy. I don't use bigbots, but I value being rewarded. Otherwise, it would be just like any other platform, but with a lot less people lol. Steem has many challenges to surmount as everything is pushed to a blockchain and no leadership really.
That sounds like it was absolutely horrible! Were you posting the same kind of content? People who get rich can be so petty, drowning out competition like that. Glad you are back. :)