That's a really great way of looking at it! Matt @starkerz mentioned in a round table that Steem is a mecanism to reward voluntary action. That voluntary action - or better: the level of action - can perfectly demonstrated by putting your skin in the game, showing presence and telling people:

I am here, and this is my way of being involved with Steem.

I also completely second what you said about galvanizing people through their apps and sub-communities. People start to be enthusiastic about their specific fields of interest built on Steem - and I think that this is brilliant in terms of fostering loyalty. It's hard to be attached to something abstract like a blockchain, but it's very easy to be attached to an application or a tribe - cause this is how we've built up communities ever since in real life.

I told you before, but I'm going to repeat it again here: it was a huge pleasure meeting you again in person! You're such a positive and inspring person, I always very much enjoy meeting up with you.

We'll keep in touch! Big hugs :-)