You've highlighted some mind-blowing points here, in truth when it comes to engaging with strangers, we don't know the content of their heart and what they truely offer, but then that's generally for human sometimes people we know often do what we trust them not to do so it's a two way thing.
Your point about good aspects are right on point, hive poses Loads of benefits in terms of incentive and monetization helping us journey through life easily, as well as meeting new people who help and guide us to become a better blogger and the likes.