The Steem Torch & A Few Words from Me 😊

Hello Dear Readers,

And here it is, a non-psychology post! Can you believe it?

The things is … there is a social experiment going on on the Steemit platform: The Steem Torch.

The creator: @geekgirl
The participants: Whoever receives the Steem torch, which happens to be a given amount of Steem. In other words, the torch keeper.
The purpose: In @geekgirl’s own words it is about:

is an experiment to demonstrate the speed and trust in transferring value on Steem social network.

The final goal:

When Count reaches to 1337 the experiment ends with success. 1337th Torch Keeper can donate the total amount to Steem based charities, Steem projects, distribute to minnows, burn it by sending to @null, or ask the community what to do with it.

As I had difficulties accessing the original post today, I’ve decided to copy and paste the rules of the experiment here for those who are interested in learning about it. Please note that within rule number 3, you’ll find the direct link to it 😊

Steem Torch Rules:

1. Add 1 Steem or lower amount or nothing at all to the amount received in Steem Torch transfer.
2. Do not decrease the amount received.
3. Use the original memo Steem Torch Experiment! Count: 1. Please read the Steem Torch Rules at: https://steemit.com/steem/@geekgirl/steem-torch before passing it to the next user. and change the count number by adding 1. For example, if the received memo is Count: 20, your sending memo will be Count: 21.
4. Choose a Steemian who you would like to pass the Steem Torch to. Preferably someone you trust will follow the Steem Torch rules, is active, and you believe will pass the Steem Torch to the next user.
5. Not required, but recommended to inform the next Torch Keeper of the transfer and follow up after the transfer.
6. Send the Steem Torch with the new amount and memo to the next Torch Keeper as soon as possible.
7. Try not to send it back to the previous Torch Keeper or someone you know already was a Torch Keeper.
8. When Count reaches to 1337 the experiment ends with success. 1337th Torch Keeper can donate the total amount to Steem based charities, Steem projects, distribute to minnows, burn it by sending to @null, or ask the community what to do with it.
9. 1337th Torch Keeper must not keep the funds or use for personal projects.
   

A Few Words From Me…

As I was saying …. there is a social experiment going on on the Steemit platform: The Steem Torch. I love experiments! Plus, I was particularly interested in the key aspects of this one: Speed & Trust

In this context, I see speed as a reflection of efficiency, and perhaps even of closeness between the torch keepers. This afternoon I went to check if there was anything going on on my discord channel, and there it was @scienceblocks politely asking me whether I was ok with taking part in it. I soon said: YES!.

Then there is the trust side of it, the one that interests me the most out of the two.

The steem torch has been passed on 180 times (including me). Here I see commitment and responsibility. If only people “out there” got to know what Steemit is also about.

I spent months away from the platform, but I could not wait to return. Upon my return, however, I noticed much resentment around. On my feed, on the tags I browse. I find it heart-breaking. The price of Steem is, of course, the chief contributor to this “vibe”. I understand we all need rewards to keep on going, to feel motivated, reinforced. And the main reinforcement here on this platform happens to be financial.

It appears to me, though, that this kind of reward puts people on a “product orientation” mode, rather than on a “process orientation” mindset. This is not good because people, within Steemit, consequently seem to evaluate their own efforts and performance, as well as that of others, solely on the outcome of their work here, that being the magnitude of the upvote received.

But, what about all that is achieved during the actual process of blogging? Of being on Steemit? The learning, the skills that are practiced and refined. The interaction with those who are kind enough to take time and pay attention to what you have produced. The relationship you get to develop with these people. The stories they tell you and the opportunity they give you to tell them your own stories. This is what Steemit is also about.

This is why an experiment like this can work 😊 You see, 180 people, irrespective of their stake value within this platform, had at least someone who thought of them and someone to think of with regard and respect. Someone they probably never even met in person and yet are willing to trust with the reward that is considered to be the most valuable in this platform: steem.

As for me, I have a dozen of those “someones” to whom I could pass the steem torch, and I am very grateful for them, they are a result of the “process”. Still, I have to choose one: @saminator, Sammi, as I like to call him. A clever, loving and respectful young man from Nigeria, who is consistently dedicated to his blog about technology and life-reflections.

There you go Sammi, the torch is yours 😊❤️

^{Image Source:Pixabay}