http://i.imgur.com/Zt7dnj6.png

Source

Context

For about a month now, and increasingly so, certain users that have obtained positions on botlists, have started to charge users to distribute their work on their blogs.

For example, @stellabelle, @gavvet and @dragonslayer109

Generally, the SBD gains from the post are split 50/50. I wrote a post a few weeks ago, describing other ways that upvotes could be monetized. Click here to read it!

Concurrently, there has been an increase in posts criticizing this behavior.

There are several aspects of this criticism that bother me though.

http://img08.deviantart.net/3a4d/i/2006/276/7/e/hmm____no_sir_by_estebanr.jpg Source

Criticism: Lower Quality

Critics often assume that the quality of posts will dwindle, since little actual curation is required (on behalf of those voting, since voting is automated).

But I'm seeing the opposite, and naturally so.

Botlist sellers make money from rewards on posts published. They can expect to make more by publishing content that is more likely to attract popular interest. In other words, content that is generally regarded as offering value.

Moreover, these Botlist sellers no longer have to invest time in writing posts, and can now invest a portion of this free time in curating quality content from writers with perhaps greater literary skill.

As a result, they are more able to publish quality content, and have a greater economic incentive to do so.

Surely, then, it stands to reason that quality content will be published?

http://advisoranalyst.advisoranalystgr.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/image-gallery.jpg Source

Criticism: Unfair

Another argument is that it creates an unfair playing ground.

They argue that these users got on these botlists not necessarily due to the quality of their work, but by forming bonds with 'whales'.

Sure. Though, in practice, I would argue that it creates a fairer playing ground.

Humans tend to form selective social bonds, so resulting favours are often unequally distributed.

This will probably happen in any human organization.

Considering this, instead of rewards from these selective bonds being pooled with the minority that have formed these bonds, these rewards are now being shared with others outside of these social relationships.

In effect, opening up the opportunity to receive these rewards to more people.

https://www.eurocockpit.be/sites/default/files/unfair_competition_aviation_0.png Source

Final point

Criticizing selling postions on botlists creates an incentive to sell positions on botlists clandestinely.

Since only transparent (or otherwise exposed) selling of positions on botlists can be targeted.

Moreover, since this service would have to be offered in greater secrecy, this would create a more unfair playing ground, as less people would have access to it.

I hope that this service continues and is opened up to more users, because it means that minnows like me can have a greater opportunity to make money on Steemit.

http://www.smartsettle.com/smart2011/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/opportunity-ahead.jpg Source