It would be easy to stop after reading the first sentence of the last paragraph especially given the debate raging around Hardfork 17

Focus on developing things other than writing and curation

I do like the way you made comparisons to other models - there is no doubt that Steemit is doing something different. I am a strong believer in the writing and curation model as a way to keep great content going. That is why I keep writing and that is what brings people along.

The second part of that last paragraph carries the kernel of the idea that will solve the writing and curating problem. Get the price of STEEM up by widening its uses and the debate about writing and curating will quieten down again.

In an ideal world we should be able to play games that use steem as a token, buy groceries with steem, earn steem in an employment marketplace, set up businesses using steem. If the ecosystem really develops, there should be umpteen ways to earn steem apart from writing and curating.

I would advocate two changes in the words -> Replace "other than" writing and curation with "in addition to" and "apart from" with in addition to".

The sad part is the most successful attempt at doing just this - Steemsports - was hammered for (supposedly) draining the rewards pool. Until the community finds a way to embrace entrepreneurial initiatives like Steemsports, there will be no chance to do anything "in addition" to writing and curating.

There is no shortage of creative energy around these pages. We just have to get it harnessed and rewarded to work "in addition to". A rising price of STEEM will certainly help.