"We obviously saw what happens to sites like Facebook when the advertising model kicks in."
This. We study history so we don't repeat it. FB has turned into one big Advertisement.. and we are the product.
I wrote a bit about why FB is toxic, and why as Steemian's we should be the change we wish to see - convert your friends, family and others to Steemit.
Who wouldn't want to be rewarded for the content they curate?