Ahhhhhh, that's the gap I wasn't getting. I completely forgot that the SMTs would be easily exchanged for Steem... it all makes sense now.

Basically NYT would invest $50,000 USD into Steem... then create and buy their own NYT tokens to give out to their readers, that say, contribute a photo. Their readers could exchange those tokens back to Steem to power themselves up or buy goods and services.... we all better get those Steem shops up and running!

Thank you Taskmaster for taking the time, once again, to explain everything to me. I really, truly appreciate it.