Trickle Down Attention Doesn't Work

Steem's value proposition is decentralized attention. Content creators who create interesting content and having platforms that connect consumers interested in engaging with that content. The overall ecosystem completely fails at the second point. Let me explain why.

The minnow's learning curve

When a new user comes across Steemit or Busy or whatever, the amount of content that they can initially access is rather limited. Granted there are queries on search engines that can sneak you through the back door, the most common access path to the blockchain is via the trending page.

Sure you can further subdivide into different topics, but they are poorly organized, filled with trash, and often lack the quality author density for new users to explore. The end product of this is that a majority of the new attention is focused on the mediocrity at the top.

Unfortunately, given the information age, consumers are rather picky about what they consume. If that craving is not satisfied, they'll leave. Without consumers, you cannot really grow followings. Without followings, you can't really grow as a creator. Sure, you can make money, but at what point does the bubble pop given the lack of fresh blood injected into the ecosystem?

Sure there are mechanisms that give you good ROIs on Steem, but if the value proposition of Steem is shaky, what do those mechanisms provide on ROI in terms of long-term value? Or to put in other terms what gives Steem it's value besides the ability to create more Steem? I would love to hear some answers to that question by the "wannabe" entrepreneurs (bid-bot operators) and blind-faith preachers (probably con artists).

Remember that my argument is that Steem's value proposition is the decentralization of attention. And right now, the attention is very centralized and the diffusion of new consumers is not happening fast enough before they quit. Or to summarize trickle down attention doesn't work.

Rather than pigeonholing users through broken organizational hierarchies, we need to use more localized approaches in order to increase coverage (so more creators get attention) and allow faster access to the content those consumers actually want to consume.

This account is two years old as of today, so clearly I must know what I'm talking about. Maybe.