@ned: @edicted, I think that you're failing to see the bigger picture here. SMTs are going to empower the entrepreneur and drive the development of new communities. If you wanted to you could create a Steem API SMT to empower developers like yourself into creating new possibilities on top of the greater Steem ecosystem. It's a win-win.
SMTs very well may be the great incentivizer that pays people for their work. It also might be a return to work ethic, because you can compartmentalize every function of Steem. If your SMT is better you'll be paid more.
I just think it's pretty obvious that SMTs should not be the number one priority at all costs. Steem made it this far and now they are trying to run farther without looking backwards and fixing all the ragtag rushed mistakes they made. This road is full of potholes.
I was going to say I was surprised that you of all people would make this argument. I just realized it was @ned all along lol. Nice.
Like I'm going to trust someone who wrote this in the whitepaper and then left it in:
Page 13 Steem Whitepaper
Page 1 Steem Bluepaper
If this sentiment was ever actually believed it was quite naive. Leaving it there just makes you a liar. I guess I'd rather have a snake CEO over a fool.