There’s nothing like getting a bunch of witnesses together to make things exciting.
Yes, witness debates excite me. What? ;)
I’m stoked for the upcoming WITNESS CHAT with 
It’s felt quiet this week, which seems to be a combination of the crypto roller coaster and people going monster crazy, but the recent debate between 
My biggest takeaway from that chat was the importance for people (new users and the general public) to understand this:
STEEM Is NOT Steemit. STEEM Is More Valuable Than Steemit.
If you do not yet know the difference between the Steem blockchain and the website Steemit.com, read this post by
Check out the replay of
What adds value to Steem, and how do we get it to $10?
Top-ten witness
My answer is twofold:
Participating in the blockchain in a positive way.
Adding to its evolution, and increasing the value of the investment.
Obviously, my idea of what is positive might not be the same as someone else’s, but I like to think the best thing that could happen to the social media side of Steem is that Steemit and other apps would encourage quality content and engaged curation.
As for the blockchain itself, there are wider uses, but let’s be real: Steemit is the face of the currency right now for most of the public. It’s got a lot going for it, but there are also a host of issues that should not be issues cough…sign up process…cough and improvement is needed in a bad way.
Easy for me to say, when I don’t have the skills to offer up a fix. But I do vote for witnesses, and I hope they’re up to the task.
More than one person pointed to the need to make STEEM valuable enough that it isn’t tied to Bitcoin and the general mood swings of the market. Great idea! How do we get there?
What I like is the call I’ve been hearing for witnesses and community devs to work together. Another a great idea! I’d love to see it in action. Would love to see more action in general...
So how can we get in the action?
Photo: Ricardo Gomez Angel/Unsplash
Research witnesses, VOTE, and participate in the conversation.
Who steers the Steem ship? Witnesses do. Particularly the top twenty witnesses, but there’s a whole lot more of them (according to https://steemian.info/witnesses there are currently 134 active witnesses), and I think we need all the help we can get.
As users/stakeholders, it is vital to educate ourselves on who the witnesses are and what they do. IF YOU ARE ON STEEMIT, PLEASE BE SURE TO VOTE FOR WITNESSES! Sorry, don’t mean to shout at you, but it’s important. ;)
I know I only see the tip of the iceberg of what witnesses are working on, and am always interested to learn more. I try to go through my witness list each month to be sure everyone is active and I’m voting for people I believe in.
To help you research (and to remind myself why I’m voting for these people), here are some great posts by witnesses who currently have my votes. Obviously I don’t expect you to read them all, but click on a couple and see what you find!
Check out these witnesses and what they have to say:
is a newly-formed team of four seasoned witnesses who are doing a ton for the community.
,
and
have combined forces, and I’m excited to see what they do next!
has been on a roll, posting about spam and abuse, the hamster-wheel of consumerism, and busting out this impressive post on what he does as a witness.
is focused on community, as always. He launched a new Art of Music Contest, and created a new bidbot with
that benefits charities and gives back to the community.
’s last witness log made me laugh and think. Gandalf the Grey is currently sitting in the #1 spot on the witness list. It was nice to see him at the recent debate between SirCork and TimCliff. I’m hoping the wizard might join us on Saturday as well.
works to support veterans, to make Steemit better for newbies and, like
,
,
and others, helps to keep Steemit safe from phishing and spam.
recently wrote about what it’s like to be a new witness in Houston We Have Block.
is focused on quality curation, as always. Here’s a recent Author Showcase.
is all about
lately, which he created with
. The upcoming Steem Monsters writing contest looks fun.
hasn’t posted anything lately, but, like
hasn’t posted anything recently, but their last witness report is worth a read. Also,
wrote some touching thoughts about her first year on Steemit.
has been working on eSteem Surfer which looks like an alternate social interface, rather than using Steemit? Maybe?
has this recent witness update.
wrote an in-depth, no bullsh*t article sharing his opinion on what needs to change, and why.
is always fun to have at chats, so I hope he makes it on Saturday. Go read his one year anniversary witness update and CHECK OUT
which resteems posts by witnesses. This is a fantastic new resource!
There are so many amazing witnesses, so if I didn't mention your favourite witness here, be sure to give them a shout out in the comments! 💖
Photo: Andrew Preble/Unsplash
TL;DR — Steem is not the same as Steemit, research and VOTE for Witnesses!
Attend the Witness Chat, this Saturday! It'll be fun.
The Steemit Ramble WITNESS CHAT is happening this Saturday, 11am EDT, and I’m looking forward to hearing about what’s happening to improve the value and longevity of the blockchain.
All witnesses are invited to join these witness discussions hosted by
Thanks to the witnesses who show up, and to everyone who participates!
Author bio: Katrina Ariel is an old-soul rebel, musician, tree-hugging yogini, and mama bear to twins. Author of Yoga for Dragon Riders (non-fiction) and Wild Horse Heart (romance), she's another free-spirit swimming in the ocean of Steemit.
dragon art: Liiga Smilshkalne
