Steemit was somewhat predictable. Something had to break. Here's why:

• STEEM is non-debased money. It is clear what STEEM is. The same thing cannot be said of the USD, EUR, etc etc....
• Blockchains were a thing
• The internet was a thing
• reddit, facebook, etc were a thing

.....however the black swan part really comes down to talent and vision. The talent of the people who built STEEM and their vision for a better internet/world/community. The talent of the community leaders that helped STEEMit to happen. The passion and drive of the people behind the project-- that part-- surely couldn't have been predicted.