Wow.... took me a LONG time to get through all those comments. Well done @fyrstikken on stimulating the discussion.

Seems everybody wants to argue about whether bidbots are good, bad or indifferent... but is that *really* what this debate is about?

Or is this really a intro to the greater debate of *"What IS Steemit and Steem?"* 

If we're to take the approach that it's primarily a **"Social Content Platform,"** where the Steemit front end (and variations) serves as a large "storefront window" to the Steem blockchain... a venue that (potentially) could offer *millions* the easiest possible onboarding into the world of cryptos, that requires one kind of approach. I can take myself as an example: Without Steemit, I would still be stuck at *"heard of Bitcoin a few times,"* not *"invested in multiple currencies,"* as I am now. So let's put that on the side table for a moment.

If we're to take an approach more along the lines of what @whatsup suggested in her comments, and decide that this is primarily **A Vessel to Attract Investors,** then that dictates a completely different approach. Institutional investors and millionaires could give a rat's ass what some minnow thinks about bid bots and the reward pool. So let's put THAT one on the side table, as well.

If we're to take the approach that there's some greater idealistic purpose and Steemit/Steem is **A Catalyst for Social Change,** then that's a whole different kettle of fish, once again. In this case, both capitalism and quality content get pushed a bit aside in favor of *community building* and perhaps developing the idea of this as a *"gift economy,"* a characterization I first saw floated by @stellabelle, more than a year ago. 

So now we have at least **THREE** permutations sitting on the table. I'm sure there are more? ARE there more? If so, what *are* they? 

For me, it begs the question whether or not Steemit/Steem can *be all three?* More specifically, can it be all three without each component destroying the others? 

I don't remember who said this, but this IS **A Unique Experiment.** When you invest $5mn of your own money in Apple, you get to own $5mn worth of Apple stock. You DO not get to materially get involved in the running of Apple. At most, you get to cast a vote at the annual shareholders meeting. Here? Things are a little different. In a sense, the situation is a strange opportunity in which you can "buy your way" to being a "Benevolent Altruist," or a "Ruthless Capitalist," or perhaps a "World Changing Community Builder," or a "Self-involved Jackhole," **ALL OF THEM** with the knowledge that your level of influence is such that pretty much *"nobody can touch you."*

So, what IS this place, to you? **YOU?** And anyone else. And ALL of us? 

Since people seem fond of analogies — fruit trees and farming and such — let me leave y'all with this one:

Right now it seems like we're in this giant BOAT together. And it's out on the ocean somewhere. And some of us have paddles, and some have oars, and some have sails, and some have outboard motors... and some of these are tiny, and some are **HUGE**... and we're all trying to move the boat. Somewhere. But we barely have a sea chart, and nobody actually knows where we're going, and we don't even have comprehensive talks about where we WANT to go... but **everybody is frantically using their propulsion device** to go in "SOME" direction!

# How well is that WORKING for everyone?

.
I dunno... it increasingly has a "Tower of Babel" feel to me...

Meh. It just occurred to me that I am three days into this post's life and nobody's going to read this.... ah well, such is life.