Hey, @ausbitbank, I have had very similar thoughts, but my thinking has progressed a little...

If the reality of blockchain durability matches the promise, then the mere long-term availability of a creator's content is a strong incentive to blog on Steemit. As good or better than ongoing payouts for old articles would be easier access to those articles by new readers. I think that's more of a UI issue.

In other words, the lasting value of my "old gems" would be to attract new readers to want to keep coming back.

I want readers, not bots. ;) People that actually read and benefit from my content, and I think that a loyal and appreciative following will benefit me as an author even more than residual/royalty income from older articles.