I get eyes rolling when I'm speaking to others outside of the blockchain about the benefits of STEEM in the long run. People are more excited about projects that have 'speculation for potential' rather than something that has usability RIGHT NOW plus massive potential down the road.

You summed it up perfectly here:

Five years from now, there are going to be millions of people on STEEM without even realizing that is where they are.

That...Right there is why I'm so excited about it! That's real potential and real usability today and tomorrow!