Raw truth at its finest. Impeccably perceptive on how the platform behaves when one first arrives.
You are on your own. At least at the start.
This is the part that all of those illusory YouTube videos always manage to leave out of their pitch when they are showing their latest great post hit 400.00 (usually failing to mention most of that was their money handed to bots to hand back too).
There are community projects that do their best to help and there are maximizers that do their best to take all they can.
Water rises to its own level. If one manages to begin gaining a foothold here it will reflect who they are. Sadly most do not stay long enough to figure that out as they never swallow the pill they start off alone as you pointed out.
Your posts always provoke one to question the motives we operate from. Not everyone will come to the conclusions that lead to community projects or choosing to be that which one would want from others. But if one is open to those ideas, your words help shape a narrative that clears the confusion in deciding.
It's a shame this post could not be pinned to the initial login for all new users to help destroy whatever they believe they know about Steemit when getting here.
I think that in time, it will be harder to earn but easier to operate. Earnings will spread wider but with much lower peaks and for the most part, not many of the latecomers will have a chance at more than pocket money. But, there will be a lot of value and true talent will shine.
The other day I was reading a post someone wrote up on getting their garden ready. I asked some questions (I have had a dream of farming alchemy for years) and turns out we both had childhood experiences on farms and reminisced a little. In the midst of all this exchange, a small amount of money was created and given to both of us. For an exchange I would have had for free. I got paid a few cents for a nice exchange and to learn. And it strengthened my connection with this person as we have grown to see we have this interest in common.
I believe that as the platform grows, one day there will be many of us who have stronger accounts. Becoming parts of the foundations we are drawn to so that they can accommodate those seeking to find a home there. One day my account will be as strong as yours. Might take years. But I am not going anywhere.
i think all of these small transactions will add up and if used wisely will fundamentally change how the world operates and interacts.