Steemit is an Experiment in "Reciprocity" - Mutual Benefit Society - Win / Win - Ultimate Game Theory Model
Reciprocity
Easily defined and explained as simply: "Tit for Tat". This is a rather profound thing. So simple that it might boggle the mind. By having a general consensus and regard for treating others the way you like being treated, A sort of unstructured social insurance is created. It becomes trusted that your benefit will be catered to.*
How does this Apply to Steemit?
Up-Voting - Giving a little bit goes a long way. This is not a get rich quick model. No, this is a result of consistency and the accumulation of value over time. An example is regarding Our Steemit Network as Our - Peer Learning Network. Our Network is our Net Worth. See - Learning new things, has intrinsic value that is not easily measured in terms of monetary value. However the accumulation of knowledge and information that is effectively, physically integrated - is able to be put into practical applications - creating general usefulness and the overall enhancement of an Individual user's quality of life. The individual's potential and capacity to express themselves has expanded. This opens up the door for new innovation. This opens up creative collaboration.
Example 2 - Giving a small bit is a measurable form of communication. Every little bit counts. For instance when people give a few cents worth of steem, their vote is recorded - One and Equal with all other votes. All votes are accounted for from the perspective of 'One man, One Vote'. Yes, different voters have different abilities in giving ability. A person who has more to give, has the opportunity to support more people with smaller votes. Big votes are cool too. Obviously. Point I am moving towards here is "Communication" and "Learning". Relationship building and growing. When someone upvotes my post - I am able to see who upvoted me. This in turn also exists as a form of Advertisement. Where I now have the opportunity to go check out the individuals who voted for me and learn more about them through their profile write up and by investigating their posts in the form of actual post creation, and also their comments and replies. Like attracts like. There is a point of common courtesy deeply embedded within our human nature. We love to return the favor when it is easy enough to do so. I mean this is a great outcome. When we are able to make a small play that is both rewarding and recognized. Steemit voting fits both of these criteria.
Game Theory Reflections - "Fuck Reciprocity" is an approach that is possible to be taken. This approach is basically of the short sighted limited belief and outlook: "I might as well fuck this guy over, so i don't get fucked over...if' i don't kill this guy...he will probably kill me". This approach results in insured destruction. Yes it is possible here to win at the expense of another losing...however this behavior results and attracts the same mind mentality...where a bigger dog...or a number of dogs gang up to take you out. This analogy can also be regarded as a strong vs weak equation.
Alternatively - Letting down one's guard and not going on the offense or defense. Simply participating without a 'gaming strategy'. Ssimply participating 'organically' mimics how nature so often works...take an organic garden for example. Yes there is some focused labor required...but there is also an absence of a lot of structure to the setup and things just kind of take care of themselves. See Permaculture - Where each part contributes in a minimal way that produces a total sum greater than the individual amount of effort/work.
Fuck Reciprocity Example 2 - Only Voting for yourself - This can have a positive return in the short run. In the long run over time, the consequences are more dire. Isolation is an inevitable result. "No man is an island". You basically exclude yourself from the community. Functioning in a way where one has blatant disregard for their fellow peers is a form of cognitive dissonance. When you repeatedly participate in a form of cognitive dissonance - over and over and over again, this patterned behavior is more and more integrated physically as who you are. So you say...but this is just the internet...I have my real family and friends outside of the internet...it doesn't matter if i don't give a shit about anyone online.
Ironically - how cognitive dissonance works is as a form of disability and disconnection where, the more and more you participate within this disability, this limitation, a form of self suppression grows and consumes you. This is Self-Destruction. Consequently, this is likely to lead to problems with family and friends. Examples of this: People who have problems at work
- Numerous studies reveal- when someone has problems at work, they often bring the problems home with them...and thus their function within their home environment is less than optimal. There are many instances where an ineffective work relationship results consequently in more outflows of abusive behavior. See cases of substance abuse and even spousal abuse. Let us not forget to include problems with actually being able to keep the job....being able to keep steemit account. What I mean here - Self-Deception, Self-Denial and Self-Delusion. These are serious mental health issues that result in Blame. Which creates further isolation and lack of interest in participating in anything that triggers the points of self-suppression.
Final Reflections
Opportunity Exists for inclusion or seclusion. It's an individual decision.
Mutual Benefit - Life long potential that will yield unexpected surprises. Expect the Unexpected.
Fear of Loss - Fear of getting screwed over - Results in less than optimal self-gratification.
Every Little bit counts- Small amounts of effort accumulate substantially over time.
Organic Perma-culture - Less is more - meaning we can chillax and focus on having fun. Keep it Simple Stupid.
Developing new relationships has potential that cannot be measured by any amount of money.
Trust - Creating Trust is paramount in the creation of anything of Substantial Value and Worth.
Opportunity Existent Here on Steemit to be part of the foundation in creating substantial growth and development of a global community platform based in mutual benefit. The potential is Ginormous!
Blame is Being Lame
Win / Win scenario's are always awesome - Often times the profound awesomeness are missed by an inferior mind set. The thinking quickly jumping to There's no such thing as wealth if everybody is wealthy. This type of mentality is the equivalent of saying: "there's no value in being a good listener if everybody is a good listener." Another funny example to showcase the ridiculous justification of why poverty exists: "If everybody has a good house to live in...the quality of the good homes won't be that good". Ok, one more: "Smart people deserve more than stupid people." This is the phrasing of a stupid person who believes themselves to be smart. Any smart person knows they are smart as a result of having been provided opportunities that are beneficial in nature...and that anyone who was in their shoes, would be equally qualified and capable if they had the exact same life. Furthermore - A smart person has compassion for others and realizes that they are not special...and all Life is extraordinary. A smart person knows that with the right support, anyone is capable and able to thrive in marvelous ways. No man is an island - and the greatness of any one man, is the result of the community around him.
Our Network is our Net Worth
Remember - Communication is important. Communication is a major key in the creation of our Best Life. If you Enjoyed my Sharing Here - A “RE'STEEM'N” is much obliged. Thank You So Much. Grateful to Be Here!
Steem On,
This is Playground Planet Earth
We Got this 1 Life to Give Our Best
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The future of Steemit is in the community, more specifically, the new community members. We must all work together to make this into what we know it can and will be, which I believe one day will be a community of at least a 1 billion users. I know as content creators it's of utmost importance to educate new community members not only on the ins and outs of Steemit through tutorials, b/c there's quite a lot to learn, but also to spread the wealth, no matter how small that amount is through curation. I remember getting just a cent or two on an upvote, and being excited as hell about it in the beginning b/c it offers validation and also plants the seed in the mind that, hey this is real. Making the time to check out new community members who've commented and expanding your daily range of people 's blogs you frequent is important, and it's a great topic you brought up. Expanding the community really is everything. Great post as always brother. Have a happy and safe 4th of July!
You've nailed it with your comment!
It's about supporting the new community members.
I've recently started making an effort to connect with new members and re'steem some of their posts. Getting a post re'steem'd is truly an awesome experience. I know I appreciate it immensely. It's real honor and the gratitude is a great big wow of thanks.
Like you say: spreading the wealth around - Yes Indeed.
100% YES, This is It. And it's about the principles and Integrity you so eloquently listed above...as expansion only really stands the testaments of time when it's well built :)
Have a great 4th of July Brother,
All the Best, Always :)
Wozers bud. Quite the detailed analytical post. The community is lucky to have someone like you delving into the nitty gritty nuances of the STEEMIT platform. As we've discussed, the priority of a system of support for all, is a key starting point for all involved in the steem community who are interested in a sustainable STEEMecosystem for years to come. Without a system that considers support for all, we're likely to repeat the mistakes of the current system. One and Equal brother. :)
You Got it! You know where we're headed :)
Right on! Loud individuals dominate the discussion until a real community forms to support each other.
100% YES
Spot On, Well Expressed @professorbromide
I believe in the law of attraction. To receive first we must give, and always thank God for everything we receive.
Upvote and resteem :)
Well Expressed @rtdcs
Grateful to Connect Here!
Keep Steem'N
Somehow, I had never heard that Ali quote before about service to others. WOW what a great way to express it! Thank you for this article. Methinks you are correct. :-)
Thank You @rhondak for Sharing, It is much appreciated!
About the Ali quote - I totally had the same kind response as you...and like, you - I too had never seen or heard it before.
Being most excellent to one another is indeed a most excellent way of Life :)
Great post.
It is fascinating how much of a gift economy Steemit really is.
Those that come with selfishness immediately flounder.
Those that come with gifts are immediately showered with more.
Thank You @somethingsubtle
Indeed it is fascinating how much of a gift economy Steemit really is!
The potential Benefit in sharing reciprocity is truly a remarkable things. Our Best potential development is inherently tied to supporting the best potential development of our peers.
Steem ON!
Thanks for stopping by and contributing to the narrative here.
#Reciprocity
:)
A great education can lead to amazing things. Great post!
Education is indeed the Key :)
It's our doorway into Seeing a world of potential that was otherwise seemingly invisible!
Thanks and Appreciation @midgeteg
Some great points in that post, I think :) Upvote + resteem.
I Really appreciate your support @xaero1
Thank You, And - Best Regards Always All Ways :)
Keep STEEM'N ON
:)
Thanks :)
Doing the right thing is always the right thing!
love it :)
Fairly hard to argue with the garyvee perspective on doing good.
Great post :)
Thanks @rtdcs