Over these last 2 days I've read so many posts covering 2 main topics. Spam, and members feeling undervalued. So I have an idea. It's mine, so it's got to be good.
If all the big dollar payouts were not concentrated in the HOT and TRENDING pages, perhaps new members of Steemit would not feel so undervalued. There is no way most of us will ever be able to get rich off Steemit and that is fine. I believe marketing for the platform should emphasise community and original content. Steemit offers more depth than the other social media platforms. Earnings should be seen as a bonus.
New members, particularly those from poorer countries, open the HOT and TRENDING pages and see dollar amounts that will change their lives. New and older Steemians see the same names constantly achieving these high payouts for in many cases, unremarkable content. They see the circle-jerk in action and know there is no invitation to the party headed their way. Not EVER. They are tempted to try alternative, dubious methods of making a buck. BAM - SPAM. (haha, like how I did that?) Other members, especially those of us who have been here around a year or so, simply sink into a deep depression and become non-functioning members of society. (Um, not!!!)
Now imagine, if we were never accosted by these lofty amounts, how much more peacefully we will exist, in blissful unawareness. It's not like the tree falling in the forest. We know these amounts are earned, even though it is not pushed in our faces, but it feels like the tree falling in the forest. Did it happen? And there is an additional bonus, people will read through more stuff instead of studying those (quite boring at times, not always) posts and attempting to comment on them in such a witty and oh so intelligent manner in hope of a crumb falling off the table on high!
Steemians will have to search through the NEW page to find accounts to follow. The HOME page will remain a comfortable social spot. The PROMOTED page has value, even if much of it is for the sheer amazement of what some wish to promote.