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RE: DEMONETIZED: Will Gun Control Really Make a Difference?
I think independently of me agreeing or not with this content, I think it is not a good idea to feature these kind of political posts on the frontpage of Steemit.
It certainly is not the most serious thing to do especially for a social media company.
(Especially considering how often Google and Facebook are criticized on this platform for doing that).
Before anyone gets on the wrong track, I don't think that his video should've been demonetized. I think every company should be allowed to stick their ads where they want to. But artificially promoting sensitive content is as problematic.
How is this sensitive content?
It's a discussion about an interesting and relevant subject which we should actually see a lot more of on social media. It's important to discuss issues rather than blocking or demonetizing them because certain people don't like their views being questioned or people to have a different opinion to the current acceptable narrative.
I definitely agree with you, we need a lot more content of this and a lot of multi-sited scientific discussions of people of all different sites to find a middle ground everyone can live with. But, since this is a "one sided" video which doesn't involve a lot of neutral discussion with the opposite side it should neither be demonetized nor artificially promoted.
To answer your question about "sensitive content", it is sensitive content since a lot of people have a different opinion on it. Promoting this kind of content artificially (featuring it for everyone on the front page) shows a bias of the company and influences people. (Similarly as demonetizing and banning does too).
Fairly certain it has nothing to do with the content and everything to do with the fact that Steem needs to communicate to the world that we are the solution for people dealing with the problem that lead David here again(demonetization). We have to actually start solving problems for real people. That is the path to success for Steem, and I'm incredibly happy that it seems like Steemit understands this.
Like I said, I agree with the problem. But promoting sensitive content, for whichever sake, can have serious image consequences, especially considering serious investors. And we know already that Steem has an image problem. Involving it so blatantly in a political "war" doesn't make it better, it makes it worse.
If Steem wants to communicate that, they should make a post about it here and on medium and maybe a video on youtube to call people from whichever political side to publish their content here. Promoting one sided content certainly does not have the same effect.
I hear what you're saying. I don't think it's an unreasonable argument, but right now, if there was a headline on some major news publication that read "Steemit has chosen a side!" It would still be good for us because the problem we're dealing with more seriously than bad press is no press.
I think in the short term, regardless of political affiliation, if someone comes here who has a large following and is dealing with being either silenced, demonetized, or both, we should send a clear message of "We're here for YOU"
On the shortterm, considering Steem mostly as a content platform yes. It would probably be beneficial. On the mid and long term, many app developers could prefer to create their apps on Tron or elsewhere to avoid taking side in this.
I don't care much about the short term Steem price, I'm in this for the long term.