Hurdles to 10 dollar Steem: Get-rich-quick cons

Last night, @timcliff wrote a post asking what needs to happen for Steem to see 10 dollars in 2018 and I thought I would add a little post about one aspect that I think would have quite a large effect if we were able to reduce it: Youtube scam shills like Jerry.

If I had a Steem for every comment that says they saw some Youtuber saying that all they need to do is to sign up to Steem and they will make a fortune, I would have well, a lot more Steem than I do. The problem isn't the numbers they onboard, it is the general get rich quick type they onboard who, without any investigation, come in with expectation. Many of them do not spend time developing content, engaging in the community and very soon, get very disillusioned when they realize the work it takes and, still no fortune.

I find it incredible that Jerry is even still here (let alone a top 30 [#21] witness still) considering all of the dodgy nonsense he has pulled. His plans are so well thought out except, checking if they are legal or assuming he has rights to things like the SteemFest name. Perhaps legality isn't high on his agenda? In many ways, I see him much like the Coyote chasing the roadrunner, hence the images.

Public impression

In my opinion, it is these types of people that make Steem continually seem scammy and attract similar personalities as users. As they say, birds of a feather flock together, and many of the people brought in fail to do the research for themselves and instead 'trust' the shill. In an environment that already suffers from a host of issues concerning community, making it a home for Get-rich-quick scammers is not going to help the platform attract the attention it requires, the attention of serious investors.

Steem definitely suffers some kind of narrative problem but this is only natural considering that it is all promoted via word of mouth. Even account creation is largely left up to users these days. The average user might onboard a few friends and family but the most vocal and visible are the public 'personalities' and they are nearly entirely working on a model that benefits themselves at the expense of others. Coin value is determined a lot by public perception and the public see people like Jerry, not only in Youtube but, in Trending.

The bidbot stackers filling the front page confirm what the Youtube "promoters" have been saying, getting rich on Steem is easy. Of course, they do not necessarily realize how the platform works nor how those Trending authors got there. Often, it isn't until after failing to get anywhere in a month or two that people either quit or, start to actually learn how the platform operates.

On retainer

This is obviously then also going to affect the retention figures in several ways but two major points is that the fast money makers realize the work involved and leave just as fast or even worse, stay and run all types of little scams like their "famous" idols. This will affect real users on the platform also and will drive many away as the only interaction they really see is low-level scam, high-level scam and screaming matches.

The concept is to reward content and community interaction but the most visible of both areas is crap and/or toxic. It is an apt description when people talk about it being like the Wild West at Steem as from outward appearances, only the ones willing to shoot others to get what they want will thrive.

Hair-brained ideas

I like people to experiment and play around a little, to try new things and to push the boundaries but, people like Jerry are pushing them in the wrong way, they are not community orientated, they do not care at all as long as they get their personal needs satisfied. Jerry is an easy target considering his status and public cockups but, it isn't just those the size of Jerry that are having this approach.

So many of the smallest planktons are running the same scams as the largest and most harmful. Short visioned-thinkers who only have the drive to satisfy their immediate desires. They are selling themselves and everyone else short because they are so unwilling to actually learn how to be a part of the community that looks to improve the space. Some people are happy with the cents that roll in on 1000 cut and paste comments, plagiarized work that made it through the filters or a host of other useless filler material.

Looney Steems

I love the coyote, it is one of my favourite Looney Tunes characters of all-time because of the sheer idiocy of what it attempts in order to catch the roadrunner. But in the real world, when there is value on the line and immense potential to disrupt and improve current systems and help many, I don't want the coyote and ACME products to be the face and driver of change here, let alone a horde of such characters attempting similar.

When it comes to creating 10 dollar Steem and keeping it at least at that level, it is going to require some professionals to come in and re-brand Steem from the get-rich-quick scam many associate it with, into a platform with a community that is going to make the world a better place. Although, this is just a part of the story.

Oh, when it comes to people like Jerry, the GIF below is how I envisage them and their approach to Steem. Imagine Steem as the rock they are trying to catapult themselves to the moon with but, we are all attached to that rock.

Taraz
[ a Steem original ]

Edit: I just had a read of this post by @meno that explains a lot of the Jerry background in detail and think everyone should read it.