The dust is starting to settle from the chain split, can steem still succeed?

Here we are several days post fork and steem is very much alive, though it may find itself clinging to life support in the not too distant future depending on where things go from here.

It's certainly not dead at this point, but the future direction remains unknown and uncertain.

A large portion of the community that values decentralization is now gone, taking with them their resources and assets.

That may sound like a big deal at first, but it may not be. Yes steem lost a big part of its previous community, but we are talking about an active community of maybe a couple thousand people.

A very small number in the grand scheme of things.

If Justin Sun (@justinsunsteemit @steemit @misterdelegation) plans on building value here, it is entirely possible he brings in an entirely new community, one that could easily dwarf the previous one that just left.

The big "if" in that though is whether Justin actually wants to do that.

So far we have some vague statements suggesting he might, but that is it really.

Steem is currently valued around $50 million, likely soon to be less as the people that left are soon able to sell more of their steem for hive.

That valuation is a very small amount in the grand scheme of things.

If Justin decides he wants to make this a success, he still can, regardless of what has already happened. Watch how quickly a soaring steem price fixes all sorts of problems.

I believe steem probably likely needs an overhaul though to be remotely sustainable.

For example, we need it to generate revenue, which in turns buys up steem.

Using ad revenue to buy steem is a great business model, especially if you can get enough people using your website to the point where that ad revenue becomes substantial.

The higher the price of steem goes, the more people will come, which will further inflate the ad revenue.

It becomes a positive loop which keeps building on itself.

Anyways, to answer the question at the top, yes I think steem can still be successful, but it all will depend on Justin Sun and what his plans are.

Some are certain he just wants to dump his stake and be done with steem, I am not so sure.

There is still a ton of potential here, it's just going to take a dedicated and well resourced leader to make it happen.

Justin Sun may or may not be that leader.

For those still holding on to steem, I sure hope he is.

So, lets here it, what's your plan Justin Sun? The future of steem and steemit likely depends on it.

Stay informed my friends.

-Doc