A colleague asked me what I am into today and I said blockchain. I am not sure if everyone gets this type of response but they said,

*"like Bitcoin?"*

But the look was like I had just tried to direct market Amway or told them I am an active member of the Church of Scientology, and asked if they want to come in for an evaluation.

It is definitely a little cultish. 

![Ava ladybird (14 of 21).jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmRjPUgeDNc7gBRjx9A1kxikAuyd9TZcJxveNDaVcCqFmz/Ava%20ladybird%20(14%20of%2021).jpg)

Perhaps this is the way all large movements begin though as they are hidden away from the view of most people but they have very strong support from a narrow few. In time though, that small group builds by attracting and convincing more until the bandwagon is rolling and people jump on just because others are jumping on. Social proof is a very strong influence, especially in a world of marketing and personal branding. 

I think that Steem has an advantage in this as when the bandwagon moves, Steem is likely to be in a very visible position. The same position that is likely a bit of a disadvantage now as all of the dirty laundry is publicly aired will become a strength as all the positives will spread in the same way. While the niche applications on the blockchain create homes, Steem city will continue to grow. 

It is a religion of sorts except it is not bound to any particular doctrine or behaviours other than the quest for autonomy and economic freedom from authority. How once goes about satisfying personal needs on the blockchain is up to the user themselves. Of course, not everyone is going to be some Steem millionaire but all have a chance of having stone control over earnings that don't rely on a government to act well or honour agreements. It is going to get interesting. 

I wonder what the world will look like 30 years from now and what position in society the founding members and early crypto adopters will have. If you consider how personal and mobile computing combined with the internet has fundamentally changed our world and what and who we value, who knows what an economy driven by a decentralized community might become. 

In five years from now will we be looked on as cult members, or will people be asking how they can be like us?

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