You don't have to buy my upvote, friend. :D I mean... not that it's worth much yet. Heh.
Steem is an experiment in incentivising the whole to act in the interests of the greater good through market forces. It's frustrating to see people buying votes to game the system, but I think they're in the minority to be honest. I've read that many vote buyers end up spending more than they end up with in the first place. I haven't looked into it too much, but it seems to me like people who spend all their energy on buying votes are missing the "bigger picture".
Either way, our time has a value. There is no way going through all that trouble is as fun as organically contributing on a great platform like Steem. So it's truly their loss in the end.
Voting is a choice. Buying votes is a rigged election.
We have a "Promoted" tab. If they want to advertise, that's what they can use. Using that system actually helps the platform because the SBD used is burned(maybe it's different now? I don't know for sure.).
When I came here, this place was a vibrant community. Now that these folks are here to take advantage of anyone they can, it's getting dark. There's no way to win if some of these folks can't wise up.
Actually the way to win is to continue doing what you do... Content and Creative Comedy , you truly are great at what you do !
Thanks. A real thank you. I see those posts high up on trending. They're not all bad. Many are phenomenal! They deserve to be there. I look at the comments and see the butt-kiss brown-noser version of what you just said to me. What I'm doing, or at least trying to do, is stay true. Genuine. When I see these words, it feels natural. You're not just trying to get something out of me. As a matter of fact, I came to you and offered help before you knew anyone. You didn't even know what I was all about at the time.
So.. thanks. I mean it.
By the way I read "The Man" story , I forget what I was called but I read it all the way through !
This Man? If you dig deep enough you'll find more of those. I was told timeless content would help grow the platform. So I went the extra mile I guess.