Once upon a a time I got a tip to follow a guy that seemed to give some decent trading analysis. I didn't know much about trading and I though, why not. I followed the account and quickly saw that despite a very large following, he didn't get too much support.
I like to help people out and I spend a fair bit of mental energy piecing together various behaviours to see if I can find cause and effects. I was interested why he wasn't getting more support considering his many, many, followers and thought I could offer some advice.
Now, I post a lot but, this guy was double what I was posting and for the most part, there really wasn't much content involved. I figured it was the frequency holding the value down as most won't vote 10 times a day on one person. I watched a couple days more, voted a bit to lend my support but then started noticing posts that I considered unnecessary. Each was getting between 15 and 40 or so dollars but if, his trading advice was good, he could make a bit more by combining them a little, cut down on work and perhaps avoid the label of spammer.
It was late at night (around 1 am) and I dropped a line in a comment. I said: The frequency of these posts is becoming quite Spammy. Perhaps it wasn't the best approach but, I didn't think much of it. I figured that he would give it a read and perhaps consider what was said, take it or leave it style. He never responded but, a couple hours later as I climbed into bed, a couple of his followers did.
Note: I would also like to add, I don't use "Bra" first, the 'pal' was an edit from 'Bra' after I had answered. Calling someone "Brah" is not my type of language.
After the next comments came, I decided it just wasn't worth it considering the language and grammar and if the guy read and wanted to act on my comments, fine.
I was wrong!!! VERY wrong. Someone would vote on his content 10 times a day. He started getting heavy support from one large whale soon after and soon after that, Bernie started his campaign.
People's behaviours interest me a great deal and although my initial comment may not have been well thought out, the intention was actually there to redirect the course before it led somewhere no one wanted it to go. I had seen similar spammy behaviour grab attention before and if this guy was good, I didn't want him to fall into disrepute.
I put a lot of work into Steemit in both my own content and helping others and I do not think these negative behaviours are great for the overall image of the platform. I also don't think the way it must be dealt with now is a good image builder either but, it has been left too late.
I am pretty decent at putting patterns together and simulating the various paths actions may lead to but, I wonder if I had been less tired or more attentive, would I have been able to word my comment better and perhaps get him to consider actions. I don't actually think so based on behaviour since but, there is still that little question in the back of my head as to whether having seen where it has led, could I have done better?
I have so many questions as to how people behave in this world and how far people are willing to go and how much harm they are willing to do to get what they want. I find the world a very interesting place and I think the enjoyment is only increasing as I dive a little deeper each time into this or that.
I was explaining to a student today about Steemit and the ecosystem being like real life except with glass walls where you can see the best of people and the worst of people. We all have the potential to be on both sides of that equation don't we?
I question myself on this too,. What if it was me to get 10 x 300 dollar posts a day, would I turn it away or would I believe I deserve it? Would I be willing to decline payout on half? Would I be able to comfortably take my earnings while watching so many others struggle without giving anything back? I don't think so but, I am not in that position so it is really hard to say conclusively.
Could I have chosen better words? Yes, but I do not think it would have changed the outcome. I just hope that the overall damage can be minimized and we can all move onto the next drama to arrive.
Taraz
[ a Steemit original ]
I know this is the blockchain and you can find the commenters but, it really isn't worth it.