A lot of people in various Steem circles have mentioned that there isn't really a "celebrity presence" on Steemit.
Gary Vaynerchuk. (image source)
First of all, most of the people I admire are not "big names" like Justin Bieber or Lady GaGa or any of that other stupid bullshit. I don't give a damn about Barack Obama. My "heroes," if I can use that word, are people like Larken Rose and Roger Ver. They are my "celebrities." Though becoming more and more well-known, if you say these names to most people on the street, they will return a blank stare. That really doesn't matter, though.
To me, when I hear the "we need celebrities" argument, I cringe a little. I get it. Someone with massive influence and more "mainstream" could be a huge boon to Steem.
That said, at what cost? Do I really want to read and upvote what Justin Bieber or some lying-ass politician writes? Do I want all the useless noise, eyeballs and controlling hands usually associated with such cults of personality to descend upon Steem? No.
Do I really want to see the valuable anarchist content, and well-researched socio-political content get pushed to the side for some vapid drivel? No. But it doesn't matter.
What matters is the market, and the market doesn't give a damn about my preference as to what should be valued. That is where I come in to engage the market and make my preference known, thus signaling demand. This is exactly what I am doing now, right here on Steem, via the price indicator of this post, and I am trying to convince you to join me.
Steem could use a "celebrity" with a massive following, high-quality content, and social media expertise.
Case in point--Vaynerchuk.
This guy is a self-made man, hardcore entrepreneur with endless hustle and a good understanding of the market, and how it works.
He calls himself a "day trader in attention" referencing social media, branding, and brand development.
His content is inspiring, practical, and most importantly, not full of fluffy, vapid inanity. Let's get him on here. I won't link to his vids here. Go check him out on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Snapchat, and BRING HIM BACK HERE!
Snapchat message I sent to Gary Vee.
I just snapchatted him a message about Steem. This is my call for fellow Steemians to do the same. Listen to his story, get inspired, and fucking do something. For you! That is his main talking point, DOING, and that is what I think Steem is all about, too.
Peace!
Graham Smith is a Voluntaryist activist residing in Niigata, Japan.