Communities, at their core, have a series of events that keep them moving. These events can be news, rituals, actions, announcements, and more. They create a community clock (imagine the numbers replaced by these events), and keep the community ticking. Without them, the community dies. The clock must be powered by either external or internalContinue reading “The Community Clock”
Author Archives: ivanagas
The Infinite Remix of Kanye West
People want infinite amounts of the content they like. We want more episodes of the series we like, writing from the authors we like, and music from the musicians we like. The internet improved a creator’s ability to do this. The price of publication and distribution is basically zero, the only cost in this instanceContinue reading “The Infinite Remix of Kanye West”
Every Point Matters
An annoying fact about tennis is that every point matters. There are no “rest points.” The next point is always important. This is true for good and bad players, and regardless if you are winning or losing. Writing is no different, it turns out. In tennis, a long point is worth the same as aContinue reading “Every Point Matters”
Clubhouse Is a Cargo Cult
Nothing anyone says on Clubhouse matters. The whole point of Clubhouse is to be seen. It doesn’t matter who speaks or what they say. It matters that they are seen as high status people. Clubhouse rose to prominence when no one could be seen in person. Everyone was stuck in their homes. Someone with aContinue reading “Clubhouse Is a Cargo Cult”
Winning The Crypto Status Game
Crypto is one giant game where people transfer both money or status to projects (coins, tokens, protocols) to try to win more money or status in the future. You’ve learned all about the money part, but not about the status part. Status is a combination of a person or project’s reputation, credibility, and value. ItContinue reading “Winning The Crypto Status Game”
Social Media Is as Social as You Make It
People complain social media is “anti-social.” They are partially right; popular social media platforms optimize for “engagement.” There are many ways to create engagement without being social, and that is what happens. You become a tool that creates engagement for social media rather than using it for your own good. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,Continue reading “Social Media Is as Social as You Make It”
Saints, Knaves, and Moralists of Internet Communities
Do you ever wonder how internet communities persist despite trolls, grifters, bullies, and other undesirable characters? How do members persevere and remain positive despite these bad actors? Most communities don’t have employees to manage or create content. Most people are too busy or distracted to contribute, yet many communities still function well. Why doesn’t everyone’sContinue reading “Saints, Knaves, and Moralists of Internet Communities”
How Dunbar’s Number Makes Or Breaks A Community
We think of internet communities as one collection of people all interacting with each other. This isn’t true. People can only maintain a certain number of relationships with others. They have limited time to gather information about a group, build relationships, and stay engaged. This limits the size of the group they can interact andContinue reading “How Dunbar’s Number Makes Or Breaks A Community”
Content About Creation Is Procrastination
Consuming content about creation won’t make you a successful creator. It is a trap that leads to thinking there is a “right” way to create, thus preventing you from creating. Meta-creators (creators who create about creating) say the answer is in their newsletters, video courses, writing workshops, tweet threads, and productivity guides. These “answers” won’tContinue reading “Content About Creation Is Procrastination”
How To Discover Your Ideal Internet Community
A community exists that is ideal for you. How do you discover it? Many of us are trapped in communities not ideal for us. We don’t get the most out of our time there but don’t know the other options. We are jealous of people who find their ideal spots. They have created connections, grownContinue reading “How To Discover Your Ideal Internet Community”
Ian Vanagas 