Thoughts on Steem's complicated Politics & Witnesses
I'm a bit hesitant to talk about this because of course I'm shedding light into one of the aspects of this ecosystem that most don't like to talk about. The truth however, is that is almost impossible to disconnect politics from the Steem ecosystem and taking the time to learn the inner workings is time well spent, specially for anyone who wishes to make a career out of this platform.
Those who understand Politics
Move on up, and it's really that simple. The idea that someone could launch an initiative, start a curation guild or even run a witness without understanding the platform's political dynamics is naive at best. This of course is not me stating that I believe that the current system is ideal, or that I think that it should be replaced by something else. I say this as an observation of the blatant facts staring me right in the face.
This whole thing can be quite confusing and angering for those who think of merit with basic absolutism. To put this more bluntly, you could have the best of ideas, the best of intentions, even the best application developed for Steem, but if you lack the PR skills you won't go nearly as far.
Is that fair? is that right? Those questions might be irrelevant, and I submit to you that this phenomena is not unique to Steem but rather a curious adaptation of some unwritten rule. I'm also beginning to think that this interesting aspect is very much aligned with the concept of proof of brain, even if this was never the original intention.
Witnesses are our Politicians
They might not like the label, they might repudiate the very idea, but I submit to you that those who don't embrace it never make it to the top of the rankings. As the constituency, because that is basically what we are, we must learn to see their actions within this context to elect, if you will, the right people to represent our interests.
About a week ago, I was having in a way this exact conversation with a new upcoming witness in the infamous comment section in trending. As a Steemian citizen/observer I was attempting to add some value to the conversation when @gtg, a top ranked witness who is currently #1 showed up in the comments and dropped a short, but lethal truth bomb.
If I was of the Tin Foil Hat Tribe
I would be screaming "Illuminati confirmed". Jokes aside however, I actually smiled as I received confirmation of my long held suspicions. The box, the blocks, the printing of SBD's, the price feeds, and all that technical language most struggle to understand, might not be nearly as important as the political influence that a witness should have.
Basically, his/her position in the ranking is influenced a lot more by their ability to surf in the political waters on a boat built on their more tangible contributions. And this, this nugget of knowledge is empowering, or at least it is to me, because it allows me to understand the proper way of engaging them, and through conversations influence them even if my influence might be minuscule.
What am I talking about?
I'm holding on to this idea that a community leader should see himself or herself as a leader first, and second as a lobbyist. If that last word taste a little bit like vinegar, that might be due to the associations we might have born from our political system, but its not the type of lobbying I'm talking about.
If, and the key word here is IF I have a "good idea", the idea I would be presenting has to have political value to the witness that I would be presenting it to. Meaning, that the proposed Idea, the solution to a problem, the revolutionary thing that is going to help with user retention, etc, must also help the politician/witness win or it will simply not happen.
This might hurt some feelings, this might make someone say - "Well... then it's not real charity or altruism, its self interest and its disgusting" - Maybe, but the truth is that witnesses are as human as you and I, and they too are working to secure their future, their careers. Putting on the thinking cap and attempting to find the win for everyone is the best implementation of one's time, specially if your dreams, if your idea is BIG.
Why am I talking about this
Because I see so many people get frustrated and lose motivation, its disheartening. I've seen, heard so many people say -"I'm full of ideas, if they would only listen to me then... " - that I could start an idea collection, and maybe I will.
However, if you are one of those, one of those minds that won't stop coming up with plans and ideas to make this place a better place, let me leave you with this to think about.
How can your idea appeal to the right witness, Why would they even care?
If you can't answer that, if you can't put that on paper, on a chat window or on a post. Then, I suggest you go back to the drawing board and rethink it one more time.
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Awesome way to say it :D! I tried explaining the same thing to some people once, I failed miserably :)))!
Its not an easy subject to talk about, for sure.
I have always been a dreamer. Ideas are my gift.
My dad once said to me "any idiot can have an idea".
That did not come from a bad place, it came from a place of love,
because my dad too is a dreamer, I get it from him.
I too tell you now, any idiot can have an idea,
and I do not say that to be mean,
I say that because I have been that idiot 1000 times or more.
An idea is worthless if you do not turn it into reality,
and the first thing you need in order for you to turn that idea into something more, is a deep understanding of what you envision.
Understand it so well that you can explain it in as little as one sentence, because sometimes, one sentence is the only chance you will get.
man you are spitting some truth!! i love it!
F^cking nailed it.
Thanks for sharing! A link to your post was included in the Steem.center wiki article about Steem Witness. Thanks and good luck again!
Wow... What an honor. I'm very flattered, you have my deep gratitude.
The universe responds to the watered plants.... The focus always seems to be on the seed, this post is about the water. Random thought. Was doing some research today on starting a node and the witness structure and everything, getting notes together and came across this post. Good food for thought.
I'm glad you found it valuable @sn0n, its something that I wish many potential witnesses would know, before they jump into the "game". So many come and go, because they don't consider these things.
I would generalize more to "How can your idea appeal to someone who can take action upon it?" Part of the problem around here is too many hypothetical solutions that depend on the witnesses to fix things.
No argument from me, but the proposed solution... meaning... the ideas that someone like you or I could put forth have to be wrapped in political candy.
Lets say that you have an idea to fix self upvoting (not that i think you even want to, or recognize it as an issue, just for an example) the only way you could push this forth, is if you find a way to make the proposition, the idea, also be beneficial to the political weight of a witness or a group of witnesses. If you can't then its as good as DOA.
This is to say, that if witnesses don't represent our interests, if we cant make these sound arguments to them, if we can't reach them with ideas that will also be beneficial to them politically... then we must as community elect other ones.
True, true. And if you want to "solve" some perceived problem that's in the Steem code that's the only way to go about it. Apart from some very small things I've not seen a solution on that scale that actually makes the slightest bit of sense, although as you point out it's the politics that matter, not so much the practicality.
But there are lots of things that we can make better by approaching them from within the system as well, and those don't necessarily take witnesses. I wish more people were interested in thinking on that level.
I saw your conversation with kevin, I happen to lean towards your view, but I also know that its only applicable if somehow, someway we are able to create a strong middle class.
This will require a change in culture, a mentality trickle down sort of speak. Because if not many accounts adopt the long term vision, you and I are swimming against a current with very little allies.
The huge (elephant in the room) problem with “politicians” is that sadly, more often than not, they say one thing and then do the polar opposite. Talking shit out of both sides of their self aggrandized mouths as it were. Just look at any poll to measure how the vast majority views and rates the integrity and character of their respective politicians all around the world. In my view, the “political realm” and all that it entails is a realm that most should distrust at every twist and turn, and avoid involvement with if they value their character and integrity to any meaningful extent.
I share your disdain for the label, but truth be told they are unavoidable, at least until now. It might a sort of default system we use, simply because its our way organizing masses. if that is socially evolved or not, that could be a debate for the ages.
There was a time in the past where such leaders were aptly referred to as "statesmen." The connotation being that leaders of this noblest distinction were incorruptible, and held steadfast to their word. Character, honesty, truthfulness, and integrity were paramount in elevating one to the status of a diplomatic statesman.
Those were the good old days, way before the reference points of most who are alive today. I hope and pray that one day, such noble statesmen will one-day return to the fore. I have yet, however, to see any such signs in this regard...
The masses, in my view, do not need organizing as it were. I believe that "the masses" are quite capable of self-organizing quite efficiently... It's the "politics" in my view, that tends to screw everything up. But hey, that's just me, and what the hell do I know... :-)
I'm happy to tell you that I've chosen you for automatic upvotes as part of my new initiative "Jon Magnusson's favourite Steemians support".
This is because I personally has reviewed your content and found it to be something I want to support and encourage and/or the work you do for the Steemit community.
If you believe that someone deserves my attention, please leave a comment with a link to some of their work.
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I must have missed this post of yours somehow. I absolutely agree that an idea has to appeal to an influential witness for it to gain traction on the platform. Of course, it must be in their self-interest and think otherwise is naive.
I'm glad we agree.