There is GREAT risk to ANYONE who challenges Dan or Ned, though if all the Whales were to do so they could. This is why I still have hope for the platform. If there is something happening there is enough other Whales to make a stand and make a point.
We as minnows may not have much power but we can make our voice heard and if enough of us make that voice heard it could influence the platform.
Ultimately all we can do is choose to tell the truth regardless of the risk or conform to get approval from overlords~*~
This is very hard to believe. Dan and Ned seem to be reasonable guys. If you criticize them in civilized manner, there is nothing to worry.
Not really, as @arhag pointed out, even ignoring personal accounts the steemit account by itself controls a majority of the votes. Even unanimous agreement of every other whale (and if that ever happened you can be pretty sure they're doing something stupid) is powerless against them.
Well if that is the case then all I can do is either continue to use this platform because it appears to be the best available and be GRATEFUL for it or get out. I obviously have no real influence and don't really comprehend the inner workings like you do.
So what you are saying is that undeniably he has major power that can't be challenged but do you also agree that he needs to be stopped? I mean even if you did you are also saying there is nothing that can really be done, correct?
That's assuming Steemit wants to break out their 'steemit' account which currently contains about 52% of the total coin supply, and start using it to vote and take over. They haven't done that to date, except for a very brief period during when the site was hacked (essentially an emergency). So, in practice, there is still meaningful input and collaboration much of the time, including on this issue which has in fact been stopped as noted in other comments.
Longer term, the announced plan is for Steemit to over time distribute most of the 'steemit' account at which point there won't be any more absolute control. My personal opinion is that this is not a reason to stop using the platform.
Great!
Because I LOVE Steemit and intuitively feel it is in good hands. I have been VERY impressed with the reasonable debates that have taken place on very personal and controversial topics such as this one.
Now I haven't seen Dan comment here but I have seen you and other "important" accounts discuss sensitive stuff and there has not been any noticeable censoring or tyrannical actions. So this also gives me hope and proves the sustainable future of an awesome platform.
This is a really important thread and I value your honest contribution to it and will be following your posts for sure!
Thanks~*~
Just that fact that this can be talked about in a reasonable and honest ways says A LOT as when you look at the world and other forums or social media sites there is so much arguing, hating, anger, blaming, and crap. Everything I have seen on Steemit from the people with "influence" is for the most part very reasonable and transparent. Again I am not connected with the inside people but I am impressed and feel like honest and reasonable disagreement is VERY healthy!
Yes ...it will take 40 years though...
PS assuming the price FALLS with exactly the same ratio as the steem supply grows and the min fee is increased accordingly.