Initially really interested In Steemit, but the liquidity exploit is making me lose interest in participating
For a TLDR of the base situation: https://steemit.com/steemit/@egabragsiyrallih/how-the-steemit-liquidity-exploit-is-creating-a-permanent-superuser-class
The problem for me and anyone else without tens or hundreds of thousands of Steem power is that posts outside this network of superusers simply don't go anywhere. Voting by normal users doesn't move posts almost at all, and the situation is already to the point where a tiny handful of superusers controls the vast majority of the content that is seen by users.
This isn't a situation that encourages normal users to continue posting; just the opposite.
I suspect this post won't go anywhere, as well, since superusers on Steemit have a strong disincentive not to publicize this issue. And without the superuser vote, most posts don't go anywhere.
I was initially interested in Steemit precisely because it seemed like a way to get away from the heavily censored (via dominance of superusers) aggregators elsewhere on the Internet, but it seems that assumption was largely mistaken, with superusers having even more control of Steemit than a typical aggregator.
Anyone else feeling discouraged by the present situation, or am I just crazy?
Edit: Another point is that the current issues cause major content stagnation - superusers' posts will sit at the top of the site for a week or more, and content that replaces it will inevitably also be whatever superusers' are voting on.
That's a massive problem for everyone interested in the platform's growth, because without content refreshing relatively frequently, the platform will not grow. Users will become bored of stale content and seek fresh content on other platforms.
Don't fret. Start creating posts on things that interest you. Just be consistent and you will be rewarded.
It would be great if that were true, but we have to face the facts. This isn't my first rodeo, and I'm not a layman in this sort of thing - designing systems like this.
These problems are systemic and are not going away. In fact, the opposite is the case, this issue will exacerbate until there's no coming back. Those who are concerned are concerned because we can see this flaw, have seen it before, and understand the consequences of it.
Furthermore, it's not healthy for the platform from a basic content standpoint.
The same exact content has been stagnating on the front of Steemit for a week now, precisely because of this exact problem, while fresh content languishes 5-6 pages down.
Meanwhile, superusers have no issue getting their newest junk content or whatever to the top, even if they are literally the only ones voting for it (or them and sockpuppets).
Also, this is with without the worst of the worst of these types of superusers even being here yet. The ones we have are mostly-harmless, but it will not stay that way for long.
We will quickly have a problem when all of the content at the top is controlled by a few users with malicious intentions, which is clear will eventually be the case simply going by historical precedent on similar platforms.
And I for one don't really want to see Steemit turned into a platform for propaganda that promotes war, torture and hate, but that's what will happen if superusers can control the top content while original content is never seen.
I understand that many will post useless things that will get upvoted. I don't think if you create good content that people value or solves a problem for them, that you will have an problem earning some rewards.
What are you interested in? Whatever that is, write about it.
I just read some of your articles and now I see why you feel that way. Maybe write about something related to the Steem platform or helping new Steem users. Until we get a diverse group of people who care about politics and current events, it may be a bit more difficult, but hopefully not impossible.
I just sent you 1.75 Steem for your troubles from Openledger. I hope you will stay.
I'm just trying various things. Those are the things I happen to be interested in. There are a dozen people posting lists about "How I made a billion on Steemit" and pushing it to the top with 50k Steem power :p
I mean, go look at the front page if you don't believe me, it's literally identical, down to the very story, as last week.
That's not healthy for the platform, regardless of anything I've personally posted.
agree, i would like to read some official statement of devs about it, because if it is not fixed it could kill the whole project
I'm going to give it a few weeks, but if the situation doesn't improve and there isn't a mechanism for posts other than those voted by superusers to be seen, I'm probably out.
I've seen posts voted by 2 dozen people that are sitting 4-5 pages past the bottom while what amounts to spam voted by superusers sits at the top. It's disheartening.
Plus it makes for extremely stale content. The same exact stuff that was on the front pages is still there from last week. It's boring.
It gets much better. I will post information when I get home from work that will truly outrage you.
But wait, there's more.
Eager to hear what you have to share :)