![20181124_191710.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmejxqc5yYqycs94EEW5VjAKaiwPxkgXsy8tqGuWN7LKuT/20181124_191710.jpg)

Someone said the other day in a post that they have noticed a lot more personal articles in their feed of late. This is an interesting phenomenon of sorts around these times and is likely a byproduct of low price as people tend to become more reflective when they are struggling and they start to evaluate their behaviours. 

When prices are high and someone is earning well, they generally are more concerned with the future and what is possible in it given their resources. Prices drop and they have to face the reality of their circumstances. It really is at times like these that you will witness who is actually interested in contributing content and who is here for price alone. You will also see who feels they have options or not as some increase their posting frequency to try and make up for it. Some increase frequency because they realise there is relatively more Steem up for grabs as there are less posts on average. 

I used to think it pretty silly to be so attached to price and it would annoy me when the increases came that so many would come back with some excuse of being away and *"it wasn't about the low prices."* Of course it wasn't. 

Now I take a more *to each their own* approach but, I am unlikely to support them in the future, especially if they have made claims about being for the communities. If one isn't able to add something of value when price is down and people ate struggling, what makes their content valuable to the communities when price is up? It is easy to be a ray of sunshine when the sun is already shining, much harder when the storms are settling in for a long stay.

But as said, to each their own and all of our actions have some kind or reaction to follow, a consequence of movement. Those that are consistent in their behaviour generally get consistent results and at times like these, those who keep posting useful, relevant, valuable, quality, interesting content should be rewarded. Of course,  price is low so they don't get rewarded in dollar value but for those here long term, that doesn't matter as they prefer Steem.

There is already 53 million Steem sitting on the exchanges waiting for buyers, that is 20% of the total supply. That is enough for now. Instead of putting more on the exchanges, some people looking long might consider more heavily supporting those who are contributing to a better platform in some way and, powering up their earnings instead of making even more market liquidity.

Of course, this is not advice or even a recommendation but at these prices we have a chance to not only improve distribution, but also increase the value of active and healthy users. This would mean that when the price increases again, there are more experienced and thoughtful distributors of the pool who do consider what has some value or not. The more people there are, the wider the content type and scope can get supported. I have heard that quite a few from the engagement league are buying powering up, that is a good sign for the future.

What is valuable, what is quality content? That is subjective, but for the most part, relatively easy to see and if combined with track record, users are easy to track. I wonder when there will be a tool that can plot and visualize account posting behaviour against price. It would be interesting to note the accounts who appear and disappear with the ebb and flow of the price tides. All the data is available and it would give a hint at track record activity.

I actually like reading the personal posts at these times as it gives a view of various lives. I am all for self-reflection and adjustment of actions and for those who don't find posting worth it at the moment, that is okay as it gives those interested in gathering Steem a little more visibility and opportunity to engage and grow their stake, create a network for the future.

I have said before that I liked these times and that is still true. The community I have around me, those who are close are the ones who contributed through thick and thin into something they believe has a future. They are still here, they see the platform in Steem, not dollars. 

Just a few thoughts for those who are here still and those on their way out. At some point, all of our actions see returns of some kind, some will be rewarded, some carry a penalty, but each of us will live our own experience. 

Taraz
[ a Steem original ]
<sub>(posted from phone)</sub>