It seems I chose interesting times for joining steem. The leaves are falling and so is the price.

I also learned that part of the nodes' functionality can be shifted to hivemind servers. I still do not have the least clue as to what this means. Nevertheless I like the idea of scaling and parallel computing, so hivemind sounds like a good option. Still learning, you see ...
It seems some guys are pretty heavily invested in steem. Selling now would mean serious losses, plus it would make the exchange rates sink even further. Those are difficult decisions. I am pretty lucky in being just a tiny plankton.
Just let us hope for the best. Better times will come, they always do.