Hey Jason! Incentives do drive behavior, but I also find interesting the research on intrinsic verses extrinsic motivations and how rewards can actually decrease creative activity. I haven't read Punished by Rewards by Alfie Kohn yet, but I've read some of his other stuff. It's really interesting.

Will initial excitement fade if it becomes harder and harder to get noticed? Will it fade if the price of STEEM drops through the floor? I think it will for some, but I also think there are a lot more people out there just like you.

I think Steem has a future as well.