A simple question you ask, yes indeed and I will bet I can hazard a guess at your answer.
If you are brand new here or living in a Tibetan monastery closed off to the outside world or maybe if you've been living beneath a remote rock in a desolate wasteland for the past few years you may have a legitimate reason to be flummoxed and flabbergasted by your lack of knowledge on the matter I am going to share today.
However for everybody else I am going to be detailing a blockchain project that you will be incredibly familiar with and will have doubtless encountered many, many times over your time within the Steemiverse.
The question? Ok Ok I'm getting to it, be patient for a moment young Padawan!
Are you familiar with the Steem News produced by the legend/enigma/ ((AKA self professed ordinary guy 😁 )) ?
What am I saying? Of course you are!
It is an initiative synonymous with Steem and has been for quite some time, have you ever wondered just how long? What I am about to share with you may surprise you...
Now I am sure that many of you will have been featured in the Steem news or had your project promoted at one time or another and I am certain you have ((as I have)) learned about a multitude of Steem initiatives, become familiar with causes or maybe used knowledge within the occasional edition to inform, assist and guide you through understanding updates and changes to the blockchain.
I am sure that by now you are wondering why I am asking you about this, although many who know my rambling, verbose and slightly random nature will just think I have been allowed to run free on my keyboard once again...
I just wanted to highlight a matter that I believe we should celebrate and indeed congratulate as a community, a community that is so often found wanting in the search for ambassadors and leaders who have both longevity, and commitment to this amazing platform for connection and engagement that we have at our fingertips that I think we often take for granted.
The Steem News just celebrated it's 250th edition!!!
Graphic by @pennsif...Uhhm...Obviously!!!
YUP! That's not a typo - I really did say 250!!!
In a world of here today gone tomorrow ideas, projects and mediums, that sort of single handed commitment over such a long span of time is remarkable, admirable ((and if you ask this rambling, verbose, foolish blogger dude)) quite frikkin' magnificent.
Now just In case you are thinking of the time-frame as being not quite as gargantuan as I am suggesting, how many times have you heard the term:
"A week on the blockchain is like 6 months in the ((so called)) real world?"
I just wanted to take a moment to celebrate the work of one man who has, in my opinion, stayed true to his unshakable belief in the blockchain we inhabit. Moreover I wanted to make the point that even the most cursory glance within an edition of the Steem News proves what many of us have long since suspected, there is more going on here on any given day than those who proclaim Steem to be a "failed experiment" could ever comprehend.
We are far from dead and although we occasionally appear to be down, we are most certainly not out!
Who knows what the future holds???
So please take a moment to check out THIS MAGICAL TELEPORTY LINK THINGUMMYJIG to the 250th edition post to send your very best wishes and maybe show a little love to a true ambassador ((albeit an unassuming one)) who leads by example. A man who has often been found hosting shows on Discord, frequenting hangouts promoting community endeavours and promoting Steem meetups in the real world. I believe this stems from an absolute rock solid belief and understanding that true connection and engagement is exactly the thing that will create a solid community that achieves what it has oft underachieved in the long-term.
Never forget that as an emerging technology, blockchains and indeed cryptocurrency in general are still in their absolute infancy, the big picture, mass adoption and gloabl utility and an socio-economic means of exchange are still ((in my estimation)) some way off but as long as the pioneers keep on leading from the front, the rest of us will have the semblance of a 'well trodden' path and a beacon to follow.
I know that is a somewhat humble and unassuming man who may not recognise himself within the nonsensical ramblings hinting at high praise that I have thrown ((messily and somewhat shambolically)) at this page. My great hope is that I have in no way caused embarrassment with my slightly fangirlesque gushing admiration for a true gentleman who gives of himself in the spirit of, and for the benefit of the spirit and noble notion of community.