RE: Are the tokens on Steem Engine creating value? Are they worth something?
The value behind the tokens is clear to me as they can solve many problems.
Target Audiences, I think this is the most important factor. If you start a token that is based on Investing like is the case for SteemLeo, the users don't have to filter through cat picture to enjoy the site. 2. It is called a verticle market in advertising. Meaning those who have something to sell would be able to enter into a "Warm Market" they can do this with ads but they can also do it with posts. For instance: I am launching a new business that supports traders in some way, marketing it on SteemLeo would be a better investment even though it has less people, because I know I am reaching my target audience and not the cat lovers. Marketers tend to pay more for this.. It is a standard business model that works.
User Experience: Each site over time can be customized to the various communities and their own users.
Distribution and Moderation: We both know that the current distribution of Steem eliminates real content discovery and there is no consensus on what reasonable moderation would be. These problems can be solved at the Tribe level.
Also, yes, most of the tribes will not be successful, but some of them will and yes they will add value.