As the Alt coins seem to have uncoupled from bitcoin, Steem no longer gets the ride up every time bitcoin goes up. This is not good but, however there are some positive aspects as well to paving our own destiny.

I think the most disheartening part is if you have been here for awhile and really worked hard to help build the place - you have also seen many people leave in droves and the price drop wildly.

The key is to not think too much about what your steem is worth or what even the wider community is up to and just stay on course and go at a pace your happy with to produce what you want on Steem.

There are many barking dogs to be ignored - but also some people whom can be considered 'trouble makers' are actually just a bit in pain and need trust restored.

For me the real negative game changer has been @ned and the steemit team not delivering SMT's on the date they committed too. Things like this break trust and you can read between the lines allot of people are wanting actual things of value delivered, vs. us Steemians doing all the work and the people of Steem inc, taking a wage.

I mean everyone needs to make a $ to get by in the world, but with Steem we are all partly employees.

Those of us who worked and created great content and invested in SP didn't get paid yet - and is looking with the times like we never will! we don't have millions in Steem to power down and sell off like Steem inc.

I think talking about these things is important and Steem inc properly addressing these feelings of long term supporters is a real must to keep us here and repair.