I think the other thing holding some users back is the way the system forces you to upload pictures to a service and then add the image into the post. 

I think steemit would be a great place for some older people to share their wisdom (grandparents, great grandparents), but it is unlikely many will be able to figure out how to post images and videos and format the content.

A site like facebook has a more intuitive feel and allows drag and drop and simple copy and paste of url's into a post. 

A text editor like microsoft word that would allow you to work on multiple stories at the same time would be a great addition to steemit. Being able to drag and drop videos, picture, and gifs and make a variety of text formatting easy from italics to bold to headlines etc.

Most people are already familiar with word or writing emails, so I think tapping into the older generations with an ease of use functionality would bring some new ideas to steemit.

I'd love to see an old motherly or fatherly wise whale or shark embraced by the community and given a platform for their thoughtful "shark/whale song"

<center><img src="https://www.steemimg.com/images/2016/08/11/old_sharkc3136.jpg" alt="old_sharkc3136.jpg" border="0" /></center>

When it expands to mobile being anle to use fingerprint would make it easier..... pc...... not so much

My sister joined, then left because she didn't like the login system.

> I feel that their should be rewards for people that are early to upvote content that becomes very successful...

> And while I love the feed of people I follow, at the same time when I'm looking at all my favorite posters, I am not discovering new people. This would frustrate me if I was in their shoes.

I agree with the goal and reason why we need it, but the algorithm you suggest (which is in place) does not accomplish the goal and appears to incentivize the opposite result of a circlejerk groupthink as @condra above [as well I](https://steemit.com/steem/@anonymint/blog-rewards-can-t-be-widely-distributed#@anonymint/re-anonymint-re-nanzo-scoop-re-anonymint-re-nanzo-scoop-re-anonymint-blog-rewards-can-t-be-widely-distributed-20160811t042858237z) explained.

I believe you are actually supporting a feature which is destroying what you want.

> And whale holdings are also declining as a percentage of total steem/steem power.

That trend reversed:

https://steemit.com/stats/@liberosist/steem-power-distribution-trends-august-update-the-re-distribution-skips-down

It is a situation that definitely has a complex solution needed @anonymint. I'm not steadfast in any position and great ideas can flow from people with multiple points of view, so the more people that weigh in the better. 

>I believe you are actually supporting a feature which is destroying what you want.

I wish I had an easy answer, but I believe it will take some trial and error putting together this solution. But keep up the good conversation. I really value everyone's opinion as long as they are adding insight to the comments beyond throwaway comments like "Great post!" Those do nothing in my mind except make me leery about following them. 

Comments are just as valuable as content and should be treated with the same respect and thought when possible. Not only does it engage others, but it shows you actually took the time to read the bloggers content instead of simply upvoting and making a quick comment hoping a whale will feel generous that day.

http://i.imgsafe.org/c058bf262c.jpg
All Your Base Belong to Zuckerberg

In response to @anonymint: if I'm not mistaken, steemit related posts are declining as a percentage of total posts.  And whale holdings are also declining as a percentage of total steem/steem power.  So I think we're moving in the right direction -- toward having a more diversified platform on multiple levels.   

Could things be tweaked and refined?  Of course, but I think it's a far stretch to say the reward for early voting (of content that becomes popular) defeats the purpose, let alone "destroys what you want", as you so dramatically put it.