So, I came back to the steemit after a hiatus and discovered that things had changed.
There was the official steemit announcements and there was the change in the PAL server.
I thought I'd write a simple post about the changes and how I understood them. I might be wrong but I'll try so that all the little fish are not at sea.
Why tokens?
Steemit inc. has been teasing smart media tokens for a while now.
Some people got tired of waiting and created their own similar concept. This was two years back,
https://steemit.com/steem/@ned/announcing-smart-media-tokens-smts
Basically, it is hard as an individual to get your content recognized. I'll take a small case here, hypexals-spiral, a great poet and author. I've seen him write a lot of good stuff but also seen it go unrecognized. After the advent of PAL, however, I've seen an increase in his level of recognition. So that's what tokens are for, finding your people, building a community presence and getting just rewards.
For example, PALnet helps curate content with an emphasis on minnows and their interface is not as cluttered as steemit. In order to curate you need to have PALcoins. Some were airdropped a while back but you can also post and earn your own. Check out palnet.io and if you face any difficulties understanding the interface please drop a note on their discord.
So, in short, tokens are a great way of focussing our curating efforts towards great content.
But why so many tokens?
Yes, it seems like every day, new tokens are spawning. But you don't need to concern yourself with each token.
FIND YOUR TRIBE!
If you're into giving financial advice then maybe steem leo is for you. For all you creatives out there, there is creative coin for arts and music, created by swelker101 and Isaria.
If you know about some exciting new tribes that are coming up, please drop a link in the comments.
Tokens as an investment
Should you buy tokens for the community sake or can you use them to trade? I've seen it both ways and it is my opinion that it should be a split. If you can take advantage of the volatile market conditions, why not? But don't forget the spirit of these tokens. Something which led to the situation that steem finds itself in nowadays.
What are your views? Do you invest or do HODL?
Have you found your niche?