This is very important:
Steemit is not Steem!!!
Steemit is not Steem!!!
Steemit is not Steem!!!
We need to write this down 100 times so we remember.
Not only is there confusion about this. There also seems to be some debate.
For those who are unaware, Steemit (steemit.com) is a private company that employs people who develop the code for the blockchain. It also was the first User Interface on the STEEM blockchain. Thus far, it is still the flagship application.
My problem with what I am seeing is that too many are unaware that this is blockchain. That means our goal is decentralization. It is what we strive for. Yet, consistently, I see more people acting like they want things centralized.
Steemit is moving towards single focus. On the Witness call the other day, 
I agree completely. Steemit does not need to focus on that application. In fact, we need to move away from it as much as possible.
The reason is simple: DECENTRALIZATION
We do not need Steemit involved in any more than is necessary.
Another area that I see calls for Steemit to step up is in the area of marketing. This is pure insanity. Why do people want Steemit to do marketing? What do they think will be marketed? Blockchain? Who is going to market a blockchain?
Ergo, if Steemit did any marketing, it would be to drive traffic to....Steemit.com.
Steemit is no more STEEM than Facebook is the Internet. Yet people seem to make this link. In fact, I saw one of the primary FB/YT promoters using the terms "steemit". Is that who he is employed by?
The fact of the matter, we just saw a major step in decentralization. Hard Fork 20 gave the applications the ability to sign up users. This is a huge milestone. Before that, evey sign up had to be through Steemit.com. That make the entire process centralized.
Now, with the ability to bring their own users into the ecosystem, the applications are in better position cater to them.
I see many alluding to Steemit not caring about user sign up. Well, when the sign up process is manual and takes forever, why should they? They knew it was changing.
There are also concerns that they do not care about user retention. At this point, why should they? They are developing the blockchain. Does the company building the road care about the customer satisfaction ratings of the automobile manufacturers? Not likely. It is the applications who are going to have to focus upon user retention.
Steemit is moving towards being responsible for the code that is given to the Witnesses for the blockchain. That is all. While this still has some centralization to it, having too many cooks in the kitchen messing with the base layer probably is not a great idea either.
Their interface is outdated and plain. Overall, 
Now that the apps can sign up their own users, they are going to seek out those people who will use their applications and be active. This will translate to more activity on the blockchain. It will also INCREASE user retention. The reason I write this is because now we are dealing with those who do care about it. Those with a vested interest, the application owners/creators, will do all they can to retain those who are brought here.
Also, guess who is now ready to do the marketing? You guessed it. The same application teams.
It is in their best interest to reach outside the STEEM ecosystem and bring more users to their applications. This is no different than Facebook, YouTube, or Reddit trying to get people to sign up. They are all individual businesses with an interest in growing their enterprises.
We are finally getting to the point where we are seeing the shift from everything under the thumb of Steemit.com. Thus, it is time for people to start thinking in a decentralized manner instead of expecting Steemit to be involved in anything.
In fact, the term Steemit should rarely be uttered unless one is referring to either the development of the blockchain or the particular interface that many still use.
Another point that goes along with this is the idea that 
Instead, let the "face" of any of the individuals applications make the rounds promoting his or her particular application. We are getting passed the stage of talking about blockchain promotion, instead moving toward the applications.
Let's put 
Lastly, I want to point out even with Steemit handling the blockchain, there is still room for development that coincides with that.
A little over a month ago, 
This just shows how the skills of Steemians means we can create things that even are considered in Steemit's "domain".
Speaking of Smart Media Tokens, there was a stunning statement from 
The entire video is worth a watch, but if you only have time for the pertinent stuff, go to about 7:23-9:00.
https://busy.org/@fulltimegeek/qni6pavb
I do not know what he has planned but did you hear what he said at the 8:58 mark.
"It's like SMTs without needing SMTs."
It will be interesting to see what he creates but here is an individual working on an idea that will help move the applications on this blockchain forward. He is trying to figure out a way to give people incentive for coming to this ecosystem.
Once again, it is an individual who is outside of Steemit.
Personally, the path is pretty clear to me. Decentralization is the only way to go and that means we need to focus more effort and attention upon the applications. Steemit still has a purpose but we must do everything in our power to lessen its' influence. All the power in the hands of a centralized organization puts everything at risk.
Besides, the potential of Steemit is rather limited; the potential of this blockchain is incredible.
Steemit is not Steem!!!
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