...in that chaos like this is bound to exist without a centralized vision, purpose, mission, and all those subtle cultural codes that form the blueprint of the system.

When I first found Steemit this is what I saw it as. An opportunity to form a community with decentralization as the major theme. Obviously, ​that is not on the minds of those who come here strictly for the financial aspects. Maybe we look at it as a great experiment like you say and see where it takes us, without the central control. I do believe you hit it on the head with the following statement,

Nonetheless, perhaps the simplest thing you or I can do to move in that direction is just keep doing our best to set an example, to be the change, and let such perspectives come out through our writing continuously. Maybe we'll never sculpt this space into what any of us would choose were it up to us alone - though maybe we underestimate the power of influencing even a few people, the ripple effects of which we might never fully know, but still do serve even a fraction of our highest vision, such that lives are touched at it does make a difference - despite what problems and imperfections shall always continually arise.

Who knows what that 1 person you affected will do with something you contributed on this platform. You're right, you may never know, but they will, and maybe that will be enough.

SDG