What attracted me to your post was that I share some of the same internal struggle that you expressed. So I am talking to myself as much as I am talking to you. Sad but true lol
I believe it was Gandhi who said 'Be the change you want to see'
So the trick must be to get really clear about what change we want to see exactly. If we are unable to articulate the change we want, there is little to no chance that we will be able to create it.
I want to see more people here. That can only happen when the content quality improves and content creators begin to care more for an audience, rather than money. That is the goal for me.
Yes that would be great for everyone and the price of Steem.
However i don't think that the quality of content has much if anything to do with the amount of people here, or the declining number of post (that may be just my perception but I feel quite certain because I have looked at the new post tab a lot it's how I found you)
I think the declining numbers are more likely to be connected with some of the issues you mention in your post.
IMHO Attraction and Retention of users comes down to three things.
The quality of connection with other users.
The ability to accumulate Steem.
The ability act on the platform as dictated by Recourse Credits.
A big mistake being made, in my opinion, is the attempt to attract investors. If the platform is made user friendly, anyone who has spare cash will invest. But we are creating a platform that is not very user friendly as outlined in your post.
Maybe I should make a post about this?
I agree with you @hone.heke, and yes you should. As I noted in my last post, I've been here nearly 3 years and establishing myself was difficult. I was fortunate to have help - links to posts about that - also in that post.
@nonsowrites: I've come back and re-read your post and as I've just said, I agree with Hone's comments. They echo what I'd have said. What I will add, though, now that I'm here, and as I keep on saying, I came for the crypto and stayed for the community. I don't have a financial or a technical background and part of my survival strategy has, by and large, to ignore those issues.
I will acknowledge, though, that it's sometime easy to be drawn in to some of the behaviour you describe: especially noobs. However, one can also withdraw from those groups/stop the behaviour. I have, and, frankly, have benefited from doing so.
Your encouragement is deeply appreciated.
I think this addresses one of my concerns. There is a culture here for putting the least effort and earning the most reward. That should be looked into. Easier said than done. But i believe those with influence can change that. The major problem here has always been that there isn't a tangible way of measuring value. For example, my last video earned 2views. That's poor by any standard, i shouldn't be earning for that despite the effort put into it. It clearly shows i am not putting in the effort to create buzz for my post. This post has gotten the most engagement i have in the longest time and i feel without penny got was earned not gifted.
This is how i feel things should be.
It takes a lot to stop a habit that rewards you positively. But it is doable.