Let’s where I start.
Indeed Hive is discussed on Hive and Discord. But I to think that it can be compared with an office floor. The discussion on Hive are the open chats, around desks, in meeting rooms, etc… Those are the discussions which everybody can follow. Then we have the discord discussions which are more private, at least some people think that. This can be compared with the chats at the coffee machine or during a lunch walk. Here the company is discussed, gossip is spread, colleagues are being peer reviewed without that they do know it.
So I can relate with people using a different tone in the conversation based on the platform where the conversation is being held.

For me, more and quiet and relax person, I will say the same in both, I will have the same tone. I will have the same opinion.

Sorry, I didn’t understand the sidestep to Steem in your post.

If we talk about the whales. People will be gentle to them on Hive but could be backstabbing them on Discord. Most of us don’t want them as an enemy but on Discord mmh, people feel more secure.
I do think that we should respect the whales more. Not kissing their ass to get an upvote. But be fair and yourself. The whales are whales for a reason. Or they did invest, or they were the front runners of the chain. They did the hard work, promoting Hive, funding it with content, creating dapps … Most of us did jump on the train, while bumpy sometimes and complaining but never giving them the rewards they deserve. Just trying to get their attention for a small part of the pot of gold.

So, in my opinion the reward pool is from the Hive community. Who actually owns it, no f**** idea. Who is responsible for it. The whales and witnesses. I don’t agree with voting on the witnesses with the best node. I di think that we should on witnesses who do have the best ideas for Hive.

And now some breakfast!

Cheers,
Peter