We All Just Want To Be Heard
A few times in my career I've had to design leader boards for games. I have mixed feelings about them. As a player, you either care about them, or you don't.
But, a leader board is rarely ignored. The player can feel its presence even if they're indifferent to it.
Ok, so what?
Recently, I've noticed some posts about Bear's trending page and it makes sense that it gets written about.
In games, whenever you have a ranking system, you create an incentive to climb those ranks. Reaching the top is essentially "winning".
It feels good. But, here's the thing:
If we set aside judgement on whether the Discovery Feed is "good", "bad", or neither... the truth is that an incentive to climb the ranks exists.
There are many reasons to blog, but I imagine one of them is to be heard and understood. To connect with others around our experiences and perspectives.
The Discovery Feed increases the likelihood that happens. For some, that's a powerful motivator.
I've enjoyed the Discovery Feed. I've read some great writing I wouldn't have otherwise. It's a bright spot in my day.
I also feel secure in the motivation behind my writing...
However, if I'm honest, I also want to be heard. I want to be understood. I want to connect with others.
So, even as I write this, I can't deny that I feel the presence of the Discovery Feed.