Hmm... #3 sounds like a good solution for now - but what happens if Steemit is at 10x the current signups rate?

If we ever hit "the tipping point" and have tens of thousands of new users joining each week for a while - will the increased block size hold up? Or does the same problem repeat itself?

Thank you for sharing this issue, it's an important one. I would encourage a patronage model much like AnonSteem makes possible today. It's far from a perfect solution, but: I strongly disapprove of any plan that involves requiring new users to buy in for themselves, because it veers a bit too close into pyramid scheme vibes at that point.

Plus: If users have to pay for their friends to sign up, while it would slow down adoption, it would have a huge impact on the quality of userbase. Steemit isn't easy - quality users are important.

All just thinking out loud. Thanks for sharing - adding you to my witness vote list now.