Introducing Developer Delegation Day (DDD) on the Steem Blockchain

“The strongest of all warriors are these two — Time and Patience.” _{, Leo Tolstoy}

^{Pixabay License, from Enchanted_Soluna}

The idea was by me, but I didn't have time for a blog article tonight, so the essay is by ChatGPT, with my prompting and light editing (and it still took almost an hour😉.) 100% of rewards are being burned.

I. Introduction

Developer Delegation Day (DDD) is an idea for a new monthly initiative that's intended to boost the Steem ecosystem by supporting its developers. The concept is simple:

On the 5th of each month, community members will delegate 5 STEEM Power (SP) to a Steem developer of their choice. This regular support helps sustain and incentivize the developers who will become the backbone of the Steem ecosystem.

DDD draws inspiration from two previous ideas: the Steem Power-Up Day (SPUD), where users power up their STEEM on the first of the month, and subscription services like Substack, where people pay a small amount regularly to support content creators. The choice of 5 SP — roughly equivalent to $1 — reflects an affordable, low-end subscription rate, while the 5th of the month aligns with the size of the proposed delegation.

II. The Concept of DDD

A. The Mechanics of DDD

Developer Delegation Day is designed for simplicity and consistency. Each month on the 5th, community members delegate 5 SP to a developer who they want to support. The action takes only moments but has the potential to significantly impact the ongoing development of the Steem blockchain.

By participating in DDD, you are not only helping to sustain current developers but also incentivizing new talent to work on the Steem blockchain. This consistent show of support can be the difference between a project thriving or fading due to a lack of resources.

B. Why 5 SP?

The choice of 5 SP is intentional. It’s a small enough amount to be affordable for many community members, yet when multiplied across the entire community for an extended period of time, it becomes a powerful form of support. Much like subscription models on platforms such as Substack, where creators are supported with small, regular contributions, DDD uses the same approach to help fund ongoing development.

III. Benefits of Participating in DDD

A. Direct Support for Steem Development

Developers are essential to the growth and maintenance of the Steem blockchain. Without their efforts, the ecosystem cannot thrive. By delegating 5 SP each month, you’re directly contributing to the success of the platform by providing developers with a steady income stream that allows them to focus on their work.

B. Fostering Innovation and New Projects

Regular delegation from the community encourages developers to start new projects or maintain existing ones. Knowing they have financial backing from the community, developers are more likely to innovate and experiment with new solutions, tools, and applications that benefit the Steem blockchain as a whole.

C. Incentivizing Developers to Engage with the Blockchain for Curation

Supporting developers through delegations does more than just fund their projects; it also creates an incentive for them to actively engage with the blockchain. As developers receive delegations, they accumulate STEEM Power, which can be used to curate content. This provides a dual benefit: developers are motivated to participate in the content ecosystem, supporting content creators through upvotes and curation rewards. This closes the loop of value on the Steem blockchain, ensuring that developers contribute not only through their code but also by engaging in the social aspects of the community.

D. Strengthening the Steem Community

DDD is more than just a financial initiative; it’s a way to strengthen the Steem community. By participating, we're engaging in a collective action that unites users and developers around a common goal. This closer relationship between users and developers fosters a more cohesive and supportive ecosystem.

E. It's Reversible

If you support a developer who leaves the ecosystem or stops developing, you can always withdraw your delegation and make use of it for yourself or reassign it to another developer who is still active.

IV. Why the 5th of the Month?

A. Symbolism and Simplicity

The 5th of the month was chosen for its simplicity and symbolism. Five STEEM on the 5th is an easy-to-remember action that ties the amount of SP to the day of the month. This type of regularity is similar to other blockchain-based initiatives like SPUD, where repetition and consistency play a key role in participation.

B. Building Momentum

Monthly participation in DDD helps build anticipation and momentum within the community. As more members participate each month, the initiative gains traction and visibility. This creates a routine that becomes part of the culture of the Steem ecosystem, helping to ensure the ongoing growth of the platform.

V. Call to Action

A. How to Get Involved in DDD

Participating in Developer Delegation Day is easy. On the 5th of each month, simply delegate 5 SP to the developer of your choice. You can find developers to support by following the discussions in the Steem community, reading posts, and observing ongoing projects.

Spread the word through social media and Steem-specific platforms like Steemit, making sure to encourage others to join. The more people participate, the more impact DDD will have on the developer ecosystem.

B. The Power of Collective Action

While 5 SP may seem small, the power of collective action cannot be underestimated. When many people contribute even a small amount, the cumulative effect is substantial. This type of community-driven effort can have long-term effects on the Steem ecosystem, from infrastructure improvements to the creation of innovative decentralized applications.

VI. Conclusion

Developer Delegation Day is a simple yet powerful way for the Steem community to support the developers who are critical to the platform’s growth. By committing to delegating just 5 SP on the 5th of each month, you help ensure that developers have the resources they need to continue building, innovating, and maintaining the Steem blockchain.

Mark your calendar for the next DDD and encourage your fellow community members to join the movement. Together, we can use the power of decentralized community efforts to shape the future of the Steem blockchain for years to come.

Who's in? Which developers should community members consider for our September 5 delegation?