I think it's important to be willing to have dialogue about these evidently "difficult" topics... I think a lot of people are afraid of sharing their truth simply because they fear potential repercussions.

One of the places I really DO appreciate our little corner of the web is that Steemit remains a place to "record" these things... one way the blockchain technologies are already helping us. Even if someone comes along and says "You can't say that!" what's been said has already been recorded and remains there for people to see.

One of the things I have always hoped would be developed on Steemit (or a similar platform) is a true peer-to-peer marketplace, again based on blockchain technology and operating in cryptocurrencies... as you said, cut out the middle layers and just have producers deal with consumers directly... perhaps a bit like a farmer's market works... yes there is a "centralized framework" of sorts (because who wants to drive to 17 farms to shop for dinner?) but it simply serves to facilitate the interaction of individuals.

Oddly enough, eBay was a LOT like that, in its earliest incarnations (late 1990s) and was one of the coolest things around... this was pre corporate sellers. Why not have something like that here?