Could Steemit Be Part Of A Much Larger MEGA-SHIFT?
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I've been fascinated by Steemit since I first heard about it because it qualifies to be part of a much broader "mega shift" that has been accelerating ever since the beginning of the Internet.
This mega-shift can best be described by using a big word with a very simple definition:
The word is: Disintermediation.
And, when you think about it, "cutting out the middleman" has been made much easier by technology. (And not JUST with content, but also with physical products.)
When the entire knowledge base of the world is at your fingertips, it is difficult for middlemen / brokers / arbiters of taste to survive, let alone exist.
Before I get to how Steemit fits into this disintermediation movement, let's take a look at some of the examples that have come before.
**Cutting out the middleman in commerce**
When eBay first came on the scene in 1995, there had already been many attempts at creating "online shopping malls", which failed miserably.
But although eBay did achieve some success, it was initially looked down upon. (people looked at it as an online flea market, due to the kitschy items that were initially sold there.)
It wasn't until Amazon started gaining traction that a new model of ecommerce could be visibly established.
Today, millions of people buy directly from Amazon every day and no one blinks an eye.
But did you know that Amazon is not the one doing most of the selling?
Today, tens of thousands (if not hundreds of thousands) of online sellers sell merchandise on Amazon - as independent sellers - through a program called Amazon FBA. (Fulfillment By Amazon)
What they do is list items on Amazon and then ship their merchandise to Amazon so that Amazon can do the picking, packing and shipping!
Amazon has effectively "cut out the middleman" in the world of commerce by having an "army" of independent entrepreneurs who sell on Amazon.
**Cutting out the middleman in broadcasting**
Today, Facebook Live, Periscope, Meerkat and other livestreaming services are exploding because they allow ***anyone*** to "broadcast" to a worldwide audience.
Just a few short years ago, that was the exclusive realm of the TV networks.
TV and traditional broadcasting is no longer as strong a voice because today, ***you are the voice that matters.***
Today, with some simple software and low cost equipment,
YOU can **broadcast LIVE**, worldwide
YOU can **reach an audience** with your own podcast
YOU can **teach students** around the world
YOU can have **more influence**, not less
YOU can start a **worldwide business**
And the really cool thing about it is, you no longer have to invest tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars to do ANY of this - most of these things can be done with that device that fits in the palm of your hand.
**Cutting out the middleman in media - both social and literary**
The introduction of Blogger and Wordpress came with a promise - that you would "speak to the world" and that your voice would be heard.
And, although blogging has done that, (to some extent) there has not been a way to curate content so that the "cream rises to the top".
Until now.
Steemit has got me excited for many different reasons, but one of the best reasons I'm excited about Steemit is the way it is set up to reward good content while not allowing poor content to surface as highly.
It is a meritocracy, which is good not only for business, but is also good for the community that it serves, as well.
***When you post on Steemit, you are being held to a higher standard - and this is a good thing.***
And the enforcement of that higher standard is actually "crowdsourced", meaning that your readers will be the ones who determine whether it rises or falls on the site. (based on upvotes, reputation and downvotes)
The interesting thing is, the "crowd" that is responsible for curating the content is ALSO being held to a higher standard, since their votes will make more (or less) depending on how well that post does.
So, there is curation going on at all levels.
So, who is the middleman that is being "cut out" with Steemit?
Oh, just Facebook, Twitter, Wordpress, Blogging and content curation...
That's all!
**Internet marketers have always known that "content is king"**
So, today, you can see that the online destinations that have the most in-demand content are the richest.
What if the tables were turned and Steemit becomes the online destination with the most in-demand content? (it is)
And what if Steemit shares the revenues that are created by having all that quality content and quality traffic? (they do)
Oh, we are in exciting times!
"Disintermediation"...
Has a nice ring to it.
hiveblocks