Since becoming a witness myself, I have been paying more attention to others running nodes on the platform and have found many new people to engage with and to support. But with only 30 votes, I am limited to who I can cast my vote upon for a witness.
It feels really good to go to vote for a smaller witness and bring them up a rank or two sometimes. I know they will notice an increase in blocks their way, and it really helps them out on the chain.
But early on Hive and before that, 5+ years ago. I used up all 30 of my votes. At the time I really did not know much about any of the witnesses below the top 20. Many in the top 20 I had no idea about as well. But I voted for who I recognized. And just filled in the rest, and many of those I learned later on about their great achievements.. so I left my vote with them.
Later on during of the time of the Steem / Hive split, I voted for all of the top 20 plus 10 outside of consensus to attempt to help with voting power to fend off those attacking the chain. I left many votes after that and did not change them, as those were some of the biggest innovators that came over to the new chain and helped make Hive what it is now.
Now, many years later there are so many interesting witnesses I want to support. But I have to unvote some witnesses I have supported for a very long time.
As I need to free up votes I am removing consensus witnesses.. the top 20. The way I see it is they all around earn the same amount, and my vote really does not affect their ranking much at all. With so many whale votes already going to many of the top 20, my vote is not going to move them up or down in rank. Unless someone is right on the edge of the top 20 and needs support.
So if you see me remove a vote from you, its not that I hate you, or think you did something wrong. Honestly I still speak greatly of almost all of the consensus witnesses, pointing out what each one has done to help Hive. And for many there on the top 20, there would be no Hive without them.
Besides removing my witness vote.. nothing else will change. I still plan on voting for proposals by many of the top 20 and supporting the authors in their posts. Many of them have great communities and I will keep curating them and looking for great content there. I use many of the dapps the top 20 run, and will keep using them and telling others how great they are.
But there are smaller witnesses that need votes, and I would really like to help out many of them. And as Hive grows I know even more will come online, so I will once again have to choose who I am picking with my 30 votes.
We almost need 50 votes! lol. Honestly as Hive grows it feels like more than 20 witnesses should be at the top and scale that to say 25 and then 30 depending on demands? I'd love to get a node up and running myself but constantly keep running into issues with trying to find out the correct command lines to put in to get it running.
This is fascinating. A couple of days ago I finally got round to sorting out 16 of my 30 witness votes and posting about it. You were the first witness vote I cast and I am very happy to support you.
However, in relation to the other 15 votes I cast the majority of those votes have not gone to the Top 20 witnesses, in fact only three have. I think what you're saying with this post is perfectly acceptable, admirable even.
As I have stated I think most witnesses do a great job around here. But democracy is part of the Hive experience and built into the governance structure. As you have pointed out the Top 20 witnesses are not in short supply of whale votes.
But many of those witnesses outside the Top 20 also need a voice and I am more than happy to do my bit to support those voices and raise their profiles.
I think it's fair enough.
Just do your best ! Stay blessed
Greetings @solominer ,
Just the other day @peaceandmoney wrote an article with regard to witnesses....
https://peakd.com/hive/@peaceandmoney/witness-voting-declaration
We really do enjoy hearing from Witnesses...their views, their moves and what not. Thank you for this post and for serving as a witness.
Kind Regards,
Bleujay
I have not used up my 30 votes, but then my stake is so tiny that it would probably make no difference.
it makes difference specially if you are voting in the bottom part of the table =P
You have done well, putting this out here was such a great idea and so thoughtful of you to remember smaller witnesses, you rock!
It is an interesting strategy, and it gives more chances for people at the bottom to participate more in the decentralization working out =) That will motivate these people.
It is such a great idea, sir, more grace.
A few years ago, when I didn't run my own node, I was voting for all Top20 witnesses as I didn't know anyone... In those days, I was thinking how 30 votes was too much and how we should have a maximum of 5 votes to cast...
Since then, I met a lot of "witnesses" in real life and engaged with many here on HIVE... Today, I'm in a similar position to you, if I would vote for all that I know, I would need 20-30 votes more, so I went in a similar direction... Mostly vote for witnesses out of Top20 as my vote means to them a lot more than to Top20...
I do believe that witnesses are a lot more than block producers and that's why it's important to support people who are engaging, curating, creating apps, gathering the community, leading the way, and showing by example...
How are you, dear friend @solominer
The work that witnesses do is very important, and it's good that you are evaluating your votes to support other witnesses who need more support
A very wise decision.
Have a beautiful night
You have a great plan for the community. 😊😊
I totally agree with this. I've been trying to move mine around too. I just get so worried that the bigger accounts might take offense. I've never actually seen them do that, but it's always in the back of my head. Last thing I need is getting flag hammered while I am trying to grow my account!
I finally found you. you have my vote.
I never knew I could vote for 30 witnesses, now I know. thanks.
Many of my Witness votes goes to the ones below Top 20 especially to those who are engaged with the community.
It’s cool of you to be supporting some of them too 👍