Absolutely. Your analogy to Steemit is highly relevant. I think a decision has to be made - not just about this particular topic, but about nearly everything... Bend to the culture and win, or carve your own path and lose. Now, of course, this isn't always so black and white - many people carve their own path and win, but there are no guarantees by that method. You must be prepared to lose (or better said, be indifferent to outcome), and sometimes you get lucky and people "get it".

If your goal is to make money, the trend is your friend. If you goal is to be revolutionary, or express yourself authentically, then the trend is a cage. Some people take the former tack, then switch to the latter once they have a following, dragging everyone along into new territory. This, of course, can backfire, as people want to see you do your old trick, and love tearing down heroes. You have options along the spectrum of safety and innovation.

There's always ways to worm your innovation or larger message into canned products, as well. Allegory, metaphor, these can relieve that pent up inner voice without breaking the mold. The Matrix had leather jackets and mind-blowing action (for it's time) to ground its deeper message. People saw it because it was cool and were able to handle a little philosophy along the way.

They could dip their toe in and have their little "Whoa man" moment, then go back to their inane lives, or they could dig in to the bottom of the pot and get the whole thing. The choice wasn't forced on them; the story met them where they were and didn't inspire the adversarial rebuke which comes with presenting new ideas in an aggressive way.

I read the first two Chapters of TMC and very much enjoyed it (though it would be cool if it was more user-friendly like a web comic, but I get that the site is really intended to showcase the artwork). Chang'e being a unique case is quite compelling. It's rather sad, but destiny can have a way of altering our course quite suddenly.

I'm reminded of the exchange between Gandalf and Frodo (at least relative to the lamentation being expressed):

Frodo: "I wish the Ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened."

Gandalf: "So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide.