This is a blatantly hobest post, and thatswhy I LOVE IT. More power to you.
I really wish more people would speak up, and be open about their thoughts. It would lead to great discussions and open up so many more chains of thought. And that's always good.
Thank you for giving a voice to the opinion that many people share.

I agree with you thay steem is a great place to practoce freedom of thought and enjoy a censorship-free platform. But let's be honest, in todays day and age how many people do ACTUALLY care about that? Just a handful. If the masses really cared, fb would've been out of the game long back, along with so many more.
I have to agree with the attraction of upvotes. That is the single greatest way to on board new users.
But with all the new possibilities and services (dapps/ projects/initiatives), upvotes migh very well become the secondary reason people join.

About "balling" witnesses.
100% agreed. Not only coz they deserve it, but it also plays the part of motivating and attracting developers, investors and even would play a huge part in onboarding new users.
Every other major business Shows of their "trophies", in the form of employees, sponsors, partners, mascots whatsoever AND IT WORKS!

I have thought about this for sometime; it is the curators who decide if a post is the shit... or shit.
I feel like cutation should be given some more incentive...but what are the repercussions? Are we going to see a rise in the number of passive investors? Will it tip the boat towards bots? Will it demotivate creative creation at the rate that we have now?

Hodling- great.
Using votes- excellent.
Lets keep the ball rolling.
I wish you never change and keep voicing your opinions! Big ups to you, Dan!