As a Steemit members we are all biased. We use this network, we love this community and want to see Steemit as a new Facebook or Twitter. Some of the guys predicted that Steem will replace Bitcoin and Ethereum. Others envision Steem price of 10, 20, 50 dollars. But, in my opinion these are a list of wishes, not a reality.

I believe that Steem coin and Steemit community have problems. Also, I believe that they can be solved. But, these problems can't be "left" to founders and team. We, as a community, must take a part.
So, what is our role?

• We have to recognize problems.
• Debate about solutions.
• Help in implementation.

Problem 1: Wrong target

We can use Aristotle's syllogism (deductive reasoning) to describe first problem and argument.

1. The future of Steemit depends on the activity of it's users.
2. Activity depends on content sharing.
3. We are all posting stories and comments (number of posts is increasing).
   Conclusion - Steemit will develop and become the number one social network.

Do you agree? Do you find this valid?
Me neither.

So, where is the problem?

Many members are here to MAKE MONEY and become RICH. Not to read, research, share opinion and help, but to get as many Steem power or Steem dollars as possible. So, their strategy is to publish anything that will bring them votes or followers (which will in future upvote for them).

Result? A lot of blog posts are poor and useless. I came here to engage and help, so I read a lot. What I found are tiny stories with only one or two paragraphs, blogs with one link or picture (without any explanation).

But, on the other side I do understand their incentives. Only way to make real money is by posting your own content. On the other hand, the majority of the users that read, comment and upvote (that is making content go viral) receive tiny amounts of Steem.

Solution?

COMMUNITY MEMBERS

Do not upvote and follow members who do not publish valuable content. Give money to those who invested their free time to write and share something with you. Also, try to have fun on this platform. Share your thoughts and emotions, less corporative like, more friendly like.

DEVELOPERS

Change incentives - put higher rewards on sharing and commenting.

Problem 2 - Steem coin use

Steem is a coin and that coin has a market value (in dollars or bitcoins).
You can use Steem to buy Steem power and that will get you even more Steem by posting and curating content.
That means you can use Steem coin to earn more Steem coin and than sell it on exchange.
But what is the reason to buy Steem if you do not want to invest in power? Is there any reason you would like to have this currency? As you may already know, there is no many people and companies that accept it as a payment for goods and services.

Solution?

Get out of the box (Steemit). If it is a currency, it has to be used. In my opinion Steem future is depending on a real world need for this coin. Do not focus on manipulating the appearance of its value, but on accepting Steem as payment for real goods and services.

So, in my opinion, the biggest question is if Steemit will get into circulation. If not, I do not believe it will survive in long term.