I agree with all that you have said here.
While I have not invested any hard-earned dollars into steem, I do have endless hours invested; whether for posting, commenting, supporting others and curating every chance I get to those who are newer to the platform.

I knew coming into this one year ago that this was an assessment or study on how such a blockchain could thrive, advance or in the worst case scenario, fail all together- but with the strong backing of support from all levels of the fish and ocean ponds, I would think, and hope, it can manage to survive and continue onward and upward.