RE: Steemit and Content that "Adds Value:" What it IS, and Why it MATTERS
There are so many types of value that relate to Steemit or Steem. From a Steem value perspective, a single post doesn't add to the value of Steem. But by people discovering the power of the blockchain and connecting with each other, new ideas and projects emerge -- and it's those projects that will raise the value of Steem over time. Like the utopian.io effort or the other platforms that use the Steem blockchain, like zapple, DTube, and others. Developing strong communities fits in here, too, like the sports communities that have been controversial here in the past.
For Steemit, though, a single post can have value. One kind of value is a post that broadens and deepens connections among people. It's those connections that will keep people coming back to engage on Steemit over the long haul. And for many people, sharing their photography and art connects people - so those kinds of posts can be valuable. Contests can fit this, too.
Another kind of value is providing something unique, that's not available elsewhere. That's one reason I've focused on posts about foraging and some on gardening/homesteading. There's information in those posts that's not available anywhere else - only on Steemit.
In some sense, what adds value can often be distilled down to whether something "entertains" us, or doesn't. Take a Steemian like @mynameisbrian... he does one thing, but he does it really well and he is liked and broadly followed. He adds value in the sense that people check in regularly to see what he's done lately.
Sometimes it's almost easier to define what does NOT add value. And for me, that's a lot of the purchased upvote stuff. We operate under the illusion that "worthwhile" content will have more comments and votes... but when I discover that something "popular" is actually a piece of garbage that has only been self-promoted, then that adds a layer of frustration... a "negative user experience."
I really enjoy foraging/homesteading posts... I often get really good ideas and inspiration; and I like that there is quite a bit of choice.
For sure, entertainment has a huge potential value. Some folks are so good at that, too.