RE: Steem is a Free Market, Therefore Buying Votes is Voluntary and Not a Problem (or is it?)
If we want to resolve the debate and conflict about this issue, we need to reach a consensus. How? I see the only way to get people to see the issue is by demonstrating it. Why drag this out for a year or two in a slow downfall and prolonged suffering. Let's rip the bandaid off quick and get the pain over with. That's my goal here. This will continue to be a behavior if we just keep arguing. Arguing does nothing to bring a solution on Steem it seems because no consensus is reached. People will do as they want unless faced with consequences. The price of STEEM falling is a consequence they might recognize if done in a short period where peop;e can see the effects play out. Dragging this on for 1-2 years will have a gradualism effect where we can't see the the source of the problem manifesting immediately.
I actually think think this is part of the scam. Prolonging the fate means higher ROI. If all use the bots it kills that possibility as the system collapses. The scam requires enough people not using it. I don't know if you saw the numbers I ran last night but on the bots but it doesn't take many users to extract a massive amount from the platform.
Exactly. It only is viable if few use it, and they can keep reaping the profits. It only fails if a majority use it to make it unprofitable and not worth using. They depend on a low percentage of use in order to continue to exploit the advantage.