Steemit needs YOU to filter out bad content

The first thing I should say is that I come in peace. While you might not necessarily agree with my views, I am very open to input and I enjoy a bit of debate. I’m new to Steemit, and over the last day or two I have become increasingly worried about the quality of content. 

This issue will not necessarily correct itself over time as some are inclined to believe. 

Here’s the problem – HARDLY ANYONE IS BEING AUTHENTIC

In my opinion, this is the biggest issue underpinning reward-based creative content and perhaps the biggest issue that eventually knocked out Google Plus. Sure, the content seemed nice and informative at first glance. People complimented each other, wrote helpful articles about myriad things, but it just oozed insincerity and a greedy focus on amassing as many followers as possible. 

For too many people, the incentive to use Google Plus was never to enter into genuine dialogue, but to bolster one’s own reputation as an ‘’expert’’. After all, Google would reward you with enhanced search engine presence as a Google Author.

I am seeing the same thing here. Participation and dialogue not out of human interest, but purely aimed at self-gain. Everyone is a salesman. There are now countless posts that use clever little ploys. We can all see it with our bullshit detector, but you have to be willing to use it. 

Here’s some examples:

• Short stories, ‘split up into parts’ of two paragraphs for ‘better readability’, (ie it will net them more votes)

• Travel or anecdotal reports of no more than 100 words, ending with a ‘I will tell you more later’.  

• Charity scams

• Super-friendly let’s-be-best-friends videos /posts.

• A peculiar influx of Russian users who introduce themselves with unintelligible posts that have been google translated.

• Copy-pasted news articles 

I can’t deal with this kind of content. 

I really can’t. Seeing it for what it really represents, unbridled greed, even when it’s a guy posting a make-up video, it just ruins it for me. It is the reason I shun most Youtubers, streamers and vloggers. I’m not even 30 years of age yet, but boy do I feel old. Longing back to days of complete anonymity for everyone. When content wasn’t posted along with aspirations of becoming an overnight millionaire. Because you know, back when you didn’t know who someone was, they certainly felt more real.

So consider this post a call to action. To you, as users. Users vested with powers and responsibilities that far exceed any other social platform to date. Several years ago, I’d have been confident that poor content like this would get filtered out over time. But looking at the ‘’trending’’ page, I’d like to go back in time and slap myself silly. 

So please. I know the circle jerk is strong at the moment, but I also know that there will be plenty who agree with me. Vocalise yourself. Not just here, but everywhere on this site.