On your point #2 - I feel like there are 2 main posting types. There are people with the goal of creating content to make money; and there are people with the goal of making money to create content. Confusing? Yup.
By this I mean that some folks are geared toward the money as an end goal and use content creation as a tool to generate money. The other folks were creating before Steemit, and would create without it, but see the monetary rewards as a means to devoting more time to their art, funding a book, album, or piece of software, etc.
There’s nothing wrong with the first group. And in their activity some undoubtedly find a passion which moves them into group two! But overall I find group two to be more authentic, engaging, and enjoyable. Their participation is a virtuous cycle wherein content generates rewards which feeds content creation.
i couldn't have said this better myself @bryan-imhoff ... you are spot on. I'm not really one to judge another person's intentions for why they do anything, but of course we have our perceptions and opinions. and i totally agree with your groupings and summaries. i'm a group 2 guy: i decided a long time ago to dedicate my life to my art and craft, and remarkably i've spent the last 12 years making a living at it. some years better than others. and i've been guilty of conflating financial worth with artistic worth and it's toxic and horrible. i'm on steemit to hopefully right that balance a bit, and reaffirm my desire to make art to connect with a community to be understood and accepted, more than to make money off it. and if someone has to make money off it, i'd rather it be me than some silicon valley corporation ;) .... thanks for reading and responding and being awesome. you got a new follower. cheers!