Almost literally

With every next block of Steem new value is added.

Get your part

There seems to be some kind of contradistinction between publishing on the Steem blockchain for ideoligy reasons and for cashing in on payouts. The first is probably the political-correct one the other greed based. Matter of the fact is though that Steem was constructed in such a way that its currency can be used to reward publishers. On a Mutual Aid Society {MAS} Decentralized Autonomous
Co-operative {DAC} blockchain system.

Those who run a Witness node can benefit, Curators can also, just like Investers (Getting a massive Dividend on staked Steem Power {SP}). And of course Publishers can earn for their work. The Steem system can also be used for advertisement. By using Bot Upvote Services it is possible to buy a top advertisement on the Trending page. At least 75% of this investment will be returned after payout. It is a win-win construction for many.

If Steem does well, we do too

As a member of this Steem Social Media Platform co-operation on a blockchain You and I are dependend on its market value. Sure this can be denied like: "I'm just here for the popcorn!" Or it is because Steem offers Freedom Of Expression, where publications cannot be censored. Yet, we live in a reality where money still, for a large part at least, makes the world go round. (Sorry Flat-Earthers no pun intended.)

For a large part my reality is still related to paying bills and being taxed more and more. And as you may also have experienced: everthing is getting more expensive, while the income growth stays behind, more and more. _Devaluation _ is hitting the most of us hard and it seems the cause is not being taken away any day. Banks creating money out off nothing, against a debt, accumulated throught interest. Being money that does not even excist yet...

Debt slavery

"It is there so humans have an incentive to work". At least that is now how the fractional reserve banking system is being sold to us. Yes, you lazy human being, if you were not in debt, you would not want to call somebody your boss. Right, that would implement you being a...? Slave by debt, or at least that is what we are being told indirectly. Just think about it, when you belief somebody can act as if being a superior, what does this state about your being...

It is difficult for me to stay away from this unpleasent subject whenever there is discussion about the morality of money, or supposed ethical standards that could be applied. Especially when the banking monetary governance system shows us, day in day out, that it is rotten and corrupt in its core. Anything build on such a bad foundation, no matter how many layers, will show proof that it came from the same bad roots.

We still can help each other

If you do not help yourself then it will be hard to support others. So even in a rotten and corrupted reality, that is being constructed and centraly controlled by the banking monetary governance system, we as good willing human beings can still make a difference. Based on voluntary actions, driven by our free will and the lust and love for life. Even so, we still have to keep our heads above the water inside of the system.

Unfortunately for a lot of fellow humans, just like me, this means we might need to hustle within the same banking monetary governance system. As its cuts and taxes wealth movement trickery does threaten the excistence of the many. No matter if you understand why money devaluates, you must be able to see what it creates in effect.

My actions, my choice, my responsibility

A Mutual Aid Society {MAS} Decentralized Autonomous Co-operative {DAC} blockchain system, like Steem and its spin offs, might not be perfect. True, there are many things build in that basicly make it a digitized version of the analogue realm. As long as it mimics that compromised foundation of the banking monetary governance system, it will show the same structure emerging.

Competition for money, competition for Steem, basicly it is about everybody being the same, supposedly. Therefore also having the same 'chances' to win. Well, just look at our analogue reality and you know it will be practically the same. And all morality and ethical discussions are basicly useless. Or maybe they can just earn you some Steem posting about it. Even though that could be seen as being ironic...

Hustle is the name of the game

As it still favours the best adapted and suited to the competition in the system, any idea about it being sold as it being fair is just propaganda to me. Just to make clear that I think that within this system, like any other that is money connected, it is about knowing how to hustle. Find the weaknesses in the system and use them to others and your own advantage.

All within your own set of ethics and morality, because you are still the one responsible for your own words and deeds. Steem and the likes have given opportunities to many, me included. Of which I am thankfull for, just like meeting great people on this platform and in reality. But at the end of the day it is also important to me how well I performed in this game of Steem.

Do as you think it is right

As the banking monetary governance system becomes more of a thread to the survival of the ones dear to me, I will do whatever it takes to make sure we stay, at least, one step ahead of it. So, if you want to upvote your own work, I do understand. And who-ever came forth with the idea of not being allowed to upvote your own reply was merely acting like a morality knight. Some of my replies were amongst my best work! Maybe you even should upvote your own work, it is like presenting yourself to the outside world: "Here I am, this is what I can do!"

Yes, it seems I had a change of heart somewhere along the line. Or maybe reality just gave me a smack in the face recently. What I do know is that more taxes and cuts will come. That more bills will put a pressure on my income. No place for ethics and morality in there. As long as I can look myself in the eye at the end of the day, I am okay with doing whatever it takes.

Have a great one!

Checkmate

Digital drawing cc-by-sa @oaldamster