Thanks @whatsup, this is certainly a blog-worthy comment; I know what it's like to get going and suddenly it's 500 words later. And also thanks for the @appreciator tip. Double gratitude because "thanks" for the recognition but also "thanks" for what I consider appropriate use of an upvote bot.

You're right about Steemit not having had a concerted effort to build a culture; my year here tells me that because this place is heavily "developer driven" more effort was placed on building apps and technological stuff than on creating features that are directly supportive of social content.

I continue to treat Steemit as a sustainable long term venture... because if I cannot stand by what I say I believe in, how can I even take myself seriously. And so, I write every day, and I curate manually every day... because I still inhabit the mindspace in which that represents the sort of world I want to be part of creating.

And then there are the infamous "communties" which I have been holding out for for a long time, in hopes they might change the landscape around here a bit. In the meantime, I find it interesting that people seem to "self-organize" into communities, anyway... and maybe that is really the best that can happen. We end up with our circles that enjoy each other's content and commentary, and by some version of "circular reciprocity" we support each other enough that the Steemit experience remains a degree of fun and rewarding.

I have done a lot of time (mostly as a contractor) with startups as well, and I know there are growing pains. And no matter HOW well people (the "founders") seem to plan, the truth always reveals itself the same way: Those of an idealistic bent tend to vastly underestimate the level of greed and selfishness that's part of human nature.

Thanks for the supportive words!