Hey denmarkguy , I like your thoughts on the whole political thing going on in the States and definitely agree that it's time to move on , whatever "side" you are on.
Anyways , just wanted to reply to the questions at the end of your post. Personally I think I just post what ever I am thinking about or feeling at the moment and don't really plan too much , which I guess is one reason it takes me ages to actually post something.
And in all honesty , I would say that I do post things that I am interested in , or at the very least I don't post about things I have no interest in :) . Hmmm ... On the popularity thing , I don't think I would ever post on a subject because I thought it would be popular , however with that said , I do find it , discouraging or ... deflating or something along those lines , when I post something and it hardly gets any votes or infinitely worse , hardly anyone is actually reading the post. It makes me pause for a moment and think 'why bother' , if no one or hardly anyone is reading , and I am basically just talking to myself ... what is the point exactly.
And those things do cross my mind at times on here , but nevertheless , I continue to post anyway :) . One can only hope that their posts are helpful and/or interesting for others to read. And with that hope firmly in hand , I will continue here on Steemit.
Much of mine happens "in the moment," as well. Originally, my intention was to get something done with the 100's of notes I have with scribbled ideas I never developed... but I have maybe gotten to about 10-15 of those; everything else has been "new."
"Popular," for me is coincidental/accidental... just depends on what I am posting. Writing about cryptos and Steemit tends to be well received and I did make quite a bit off a couple of posts... but that doesn't inspire me to make that my song of one note.
But we all have our own reasons for writing; for me, it's often an exercise in "clearing my head."