What makes Steem valuable?

I'm surprised that so few people see the answer: Steem gives you control over the conversation! If you spend any time in the "New Posts" section of steemit.com, you find very quickly that the number one question is "how do we get whales to vote on us?" This is because it's become very clear that your post will basically never climb out of double-digit territory until a whale votes for you. So far, the community is populated with friendly whales who want the system to succeed. Unfortunately, the system won't be successful for long before money starts flowing in from advertisers and politicians who realize they can purchase the power to censor their competitors. That's the paradoxical value proposition of Steem!

If you like my ideas, read my series on the game theory of steem!