Following on from a couple of discussions that have happened in recent months, some more chatter on the distribution of Steem Power across the Steem account holders, and potential courses of action to take in order to grow your account for the greater good.
source
The first post is one by @tarazkp who asked me to take a look at the distribution of Steem Power (SP) based on his feelings that:
The middle class we need is a large group of accounts that hold between 30-60,000 SP
https://steemit.com/steem/@tarazkp/are-you-a-steem-1-percenter-do-you-know-who-is
The numbers presented to him (which are coming along with an update below) brought this summary statement:
There are 9637 accounts with more than 500 SP in their wallet and THEY ARE ALL 1 percenters in regards to total Steemit accounts. Yes, you there with that 10 cent vote, you are a 1 percenter too.
A 10 cent up vote puts you in the top 1% accounts
A more recent post from @wolfhart in which he uses a quote from @simplymike to discuss supporting Red Fish (less than 500 SP) has been the cue for my entry today.
https://steemit.com/anhouraday/@wolfhart/minnows-will-they-be-left-behind-78343bd4bccfe
A look at the numbers
It was about 6 weeks ago when I pulled the original data for @tarazkp, and I've just performed the same task today. The data is in the table below.
| SP | 22nd June 2018 | 2nd July 2018 | + / - | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| < 100 | 980776 | 1040558 | 59782 | 6.1% |
| 100 - 500 | 13026 | 13289 | 263 | 2.0% |
| 500 - 1000 | 3442 | 3636 | 194 | 5.6% |
| 1000 - 5000 | 4275 | 4411 | 136 | 3.2% |
| 5000 - 10000 | 776 | 810 | 34 | 4.4% |
| 10k - 20k | 511 | 526 | 15 | 2.9% |
| 20k - 30k | 191 | 198 | 7 | 3.7% |
| 30k - 40k | 88 | 106 | 18 | 20.5% |
| 40k - 50k | 57 | 55 | -2 | -3.5% |
| 50k - 60k | 58 | 60 | 2 | 3.4% |
| 60k - 70k | 35 | 32 | -3 | -8.6% |
| 70k - 80k | 20 | 24 | 4 | 20.0% |
| 80k - 90k | 19 | 13 | -6 | -31.6% |
| 90k - 100k | 18 | 11 | -7 | -38.9% |
| 100k + | 147 | 153 | 6 | 4.1% |
Drawing conclusions from these numbers has many caveats, one example being a larger account diversifying into multiple accounts - a large dolphin lost, 10 minnows gained.
However, if we take the numbers at face value, it's easy to spot the huge influx of accounts with < 100 SP over the past 6 weeks in comparison to the other (larger) thresholds. The bottom is growing much faster than the top, as you would expect I think.
Another point of potential note is that the 500 - 5000 SP accounts are all growing, along with (to a similar extent in % terms), the accounts with 5000 - 40000 SP. The best case scenario being that these are unique user accounts that are investing, or growing via content creation, etc. Although, there is a reduction in 80 - 100k accounts, which could mean the original point about a larger account diversifying is playing a role here too.
Who's supporting who?
For me, there is support that can be given to all sizes of accounts, and this is via the 'dapps'. I actually think that it's these accounts (@utopian-io, @dtube, @steemhunt, @fundition, etc) that are the key distributors of the STEEM at present, and whether you like how they are doing it or not, it is these accounts that are spreading the most wealth.
I could add @steemstem, @tribalsteemup, @deepdives, and other communities to the list too - All of the aforementioned accounts do not care how much SP you own, or (for the most part) what your 'Reputation' is.
Back to @wolfhart's post about supporting the Red Fish and the point made by @simplymike, and @tarazkp in his post regarding the 'middle class', or lack of.
It's honorable to be looking down for ways to support Red Fish and Minnows, but if you have not got your support network in place, this is going to impact the growth of your account. Very few have managed a good level of growth with this approach - anywhere near those contributing to @dtube / @dlive for example.
Personally, I think that accounts with less than 5000 SP (minimum) should be looking at what works best for them, keep the SP earned, get to Dolphin level, and then have a look around and see who your 50c 100% up-vote can benefit. Use the 'dapps' and the existing 'power' communities to grow your account, and let the 'middle class' do the rest...
What middle class?
The middle class we need is a large group of accounts that hold between 30-60,000 SP - @tarazkp
2 hours ago, we had 211 accounts in this range, 20 more than 6 weeks ago. Good!
Below this range, we had 1063428 accounts, 60431 accounts more than 6 weeks ago. Hmmm.
Whichever way you cook the numbers, it's not pretty reading. Newer accounts far outweigh the accounts who can support with a $3-6 (rough guide 30-60k SP) up-vote, and this gap will only grow. I'm not concerned necessarily about this gap increasing, it makes sense that it should. What I am more concerned about is 'good' Steemians losing focus of their own account, which would be of more benefit to others later on if they spent more of their energy (which doesn't necessarily mean self-votes) and time on themselves.
Don't run before you can walk
And in order to learn to walk, you might have to play the game. There is the investing in STEEM/SP option, but for those without the funds on the side, it's likely to be the content route. Content relating to boosting Red Fish who are just going to cash out isn't the way to go for anyone, and I would love to see my peers at 500 - 20000 SP focusing on the 'power communities', and seeing if they can get involved there.
As a potentially 'flaming' example, the Nigerians are all over @steemhunt right now, or so I am told. Why? Because this is one of the newest 'dapps' and they have 1 million SP in the bank to distribute. They are like a whale waiting for your content, it will be read and reviewed accordingly, and the chances of getting a vote via a 'dapp' over a person-whale is much higher.
I understand some people finding minimal interest in many of the 'dapps' and 'power communities', but is it not sometimes a case of 'sucking it up' and doing what needs to be done to aid the growth of your account? - I would look fondly at a Red Fish / Minnow / Dolphin 'using' these large votes to power up their account with the goal of sticking around, and then giving back when they reach a place they are comfortable with.
Summary
A 10 cent 100% up-vote (around 1000 SP) may put you in the top 1% of all accounts, but I think you are doing yourself and the community a potential disservice if you look down way more than looking up.
The standout Red Fish and Minnows will naturally grow and become visible, let us hope the majority of these account plan to stay.
If you plan to stick around and are a 'good egg' ( Thanks @lynncoyle1 ), then it will be better for the community for you to focus on growing your account towards the middle class.
I hope to see many good eggs (including @wolfhart and @simplymike) there in the future.
Cheers
Asher
Witness: @steemcommunity