![DSC03876.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmcyRCEU15mb6nhK2bo72GMDcc74L96eFCYuHRtw1V6Hc8/DSC03876.JPG)

## Let’s take a moment of silence…
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Great, now that we have honored the incredible luck that we have to live in a time where we can be rewarded monetarily for content creation, let’s dive a bit deeper. STEEM has introduced us to a new world. A world where we can exchange creativity for money. It’s a beautiful thing. It’s transforming the way artists and creators alike are able to earn their living.

### But, is there a shallow end to this deep pool?
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Human beings by nature crave recognition. We crave recognition for our talent, we crave recognition for our effort. As a matter of fact, from birth we crave recognition from our parents. Recognition completes us. Recognition is a "good job" for a job well done, or a “This was amazing” for an art piece that was painted, or a “here’s a raise” for years of hard work and patience.

Naturally we can assume that if you are being rewarded monetarily for something, that counts as recognition right? However, is this *really* a true statement?

### STEEM, where monetary rewards are NOT always recognition…
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STEEM is unique. When a blogger spends their entire day through an experience, keeping mental note of everything that is passing, then upon arrival to their house, they recollect all of those mental notes and convert them into a well thought out article… They are *subconsciously* expecting recognition. After all, most of us don’t create *just* for ourselves do we? We create to leave a legend, to get a message across, to push for a cause… We create for *recognition.*

And so when this blogger puts so much time and effort into this article and presses submit, they anxiously await recognition. 

## BOOM!

Their post is at $200 STU’s.

Perusing the list, they notice they had a $199 STU upvote from a whale. A whale they very well know did not read their article. *OR* perhaps they did.. But then again, this is one person. This whale may have perhaps upvoted them to support them, to get them exposure, to show the world that this specific creator has a lot to offer. However, what if it ends there? What if out of 40 upvotes, only the whale’s was enough to make a monetary difference, and another 8 upvotes were true followers and supporters and the remaining 31 upvotes were just random passerby’s either looking for a follow, looking for an upvote for themselves, or just curating to make some money themselves. What if this creator has 2000 followers and only 40 upvotes on this well thought out, well put together, and very meaningful article? What effect does this have on the creators mind?

## The Monetary Reward Problem
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This is where the monetary reward system can impose a problem on true creativity. In the example mentioned above, this creator put a lot of time and effort into something that ultimately ended with no *recognition*. They received a fat payout from it, and that’s nothing to be upset about. But the basic human need for recognition was missing. 

Consider if it was reversed? What if out of 2000 followers, there was no whale upvote? What if there was only 39 upvotes that led to a grand total of $1.00 STU’s? Not only does this eliminate the monetary reward, but now this creator has extremely little exposure. They never hit hot, they never hit trending, they never received *recognition*.

This can lead to some damaging thoughts. Perhaps the creator no longer feels as if their creations are worth sharing. Perhaps they feel as if they are not good enough to be a “creator”. 

## The Two-Edged Sword of STEEM
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This example was enough to show how something as great as the STEEM platform can also be a terrible thing for creators. And yes, this post was written from experience. This is something I have lived. I love STEEM, and I love the opportunities it has presented. However, I am not shielded from the troubles on the creative mind that it can bring. Do I have the solution? No. Unfortunately I do not. Not yet at least.

However, here is my message to all of you creators out there that can relate. Do not give up. Do not let it get to you. Focus on yourself. Focus on your message. 

### And continue to push forward...

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