I'm sitting here looking at this blank post. I have no clue what to write about. What about some random musings about writing in general?
Bingo
It got me thinking of a few questions..
The state of writing on Hive?
I really get the sense that the HIVE audience really enjoys reading and writing about HIVE. If I write some treatise on the wonders of HIVE, I am more likely to be highly rewarded. I guess that's okay, since I care about hive, and if you're here now, you probably do too. The buzz is fresh, I get it. But aside from a post explaining to people on the OUTSIDE why they should care about HIVE too, nobody really cares who isn't already on HIVE. It really creates an incestuous type of environment in the short term, which is not sustainable long term. Steem also had an over-representation of virtue-signalling posts regarding how great Steem was, and 'what I am doing for Steem' posts. It still happens there too, the dumpster fire that it is. I am no less guilty of that myself, even now, look at what I'm writing about. That being said, I am an amateur writer as the vast majority here are. Can we ever grow out of that state?
Should we forget about writing?
There are even those who would like to reclassify these blockchains to be more generic, and thus ignoring the blogging DNA they were built around. Some of these individuals could care less about author rewards and curation rewards, and would prefer to see the base layer become pure proof-of-stake, and any reward for DApp activity would be rewarded with SMTs or another second layer solution. Others place more value on interaction. It could be a literal shitpost atop trending. I'm talking about a photo of turds in a toilet, and a lively discussion underneath it arguing about how many corn kernels it has. But it's only the comments and engagement that are valuable right?
What is the desired end state?
This leads me to further evaluate Hive as a blogging platform or Reddit alternative. Much to the chagrin of the people around here keeping the lights on, the continued emphasis on THEIR existence on this platform isn't going to keep the lights on ten years from now. The people writing the code, and running the servers will need to fade into the background, and they should be thrilled at the prospect of doing so. If they are eventually drowned out by Hive agnostic content created by high profile people outside of Hive, that should be a good thing right? I then have to ask myself, when that time comes, will they let themselves be drowned out? If several high profile individuals set up shop on hive, will the attention seekers here be willing to take a back seat, or will they prop each other up in an attempt to compete?
Do you write about what you think people will like, or do you write about what you feel like writing about?
For me, I could probably put a lot more effort in researching the type of posts that pay more, and tailoring my writing to what pays more. I'm not an X writer or a Y writer though. If I'm not writing about something that interests me at that given time, I'm not going to bother. This isn't my day job, it's a hobby at best. I go through various phases. I had an almost 2-year phase where I focused on posting photos from my travels. I had another phase where I was posting about computer networking. Right now, I'm in the conceptual Hive trap. Please help me escape!
Should you care if people like or reward your work?
This question really depends. If your writing is simply a cathartic release, who cares who reads it? If your writing is a way of reliving past experiences, or used as a way of solidifying your own opinions, what does it matter how much you get paid? Most people get paid dick for writing long posts on Facebook, but they still do it. Why? If I am being realistic, a well-known writer with a clearly defined purpose, and a well-established audience, should overpower the musings of a random dude like me. This is as it should be, and makes sense if that writer is actually trying to make a living through his writing. Those types are unicorns at this point, so instead you have a @joshman freewrite to complain about.
Sorry, Not Sorry
Anyways, I enjoy engagement, and the odds are I might have more than two words and an emoji for you, for whatever that is worth.
Do you think this is because those with higher stake are more focused on hive than anything else? I have to admit, I rarely read, or vote, on hive-related stuff...As a smaller account it doesn't seem relavent to me...I read some of course, but rarely get swept away with it. As a curator I'd rather read more about people lives and what they do, what they think, where they have been, want to go etc.
Also, on your last point...I think people need to care what they themselves think of their work and if they feel good about it or not as a primary objective. Secondary of course is the other people, and what reward it may get.
I write for me...I think a scroll over the last few thousand posts of mine will demonstrate that clearly - It's quite diverse. It's enjoyable, and when it is not I will not write here anymore. So, I turned thatinto the reward. However, of course, I get disappointed when a post gets no engagement. That hurts far more than the lack of monetary reward. I've worked very hard here, to build a brand, write well, with interest and diversity...And I think I have done a reasonable job...There'll always be people who disagree, not like my posts, downvote for whatever reason they feel is justified, just because I am linked with certain others mostly, and who will simply not like something I do at all...It's the way of the world.
Anyway, I don't want to take over your post. It was a good one, valid points and questions with a really nice ending. Namely...
Seems like we share that ethos.
I get why this is the case, but it cannot forever be the case. To me that's like joining Facebook or Twitter to read only the Facebook and Twitter public blog. I'll even take it a step further. It's like writing an INTERNAL EYES ONLY development blog, and expecting that will carry you forward into the future.
I've read quite a bit of your posts, and have no reason to believe otherwise. A great many of us, particularly in Western countries, have plenty of alternative activities we could be doing besides posting their thoughts on what amounts to an experimental message board. I used to dial into a BBS with a 9600 Baud modem, and have had lively debates in forums. That effort is long gone. If you're not enjoying the process, what's the point? This content may not disappear, but it is designed to fade away.
Lol, yep I get it...Let's hope it fades away. Possibly a need for it currently, but what annoys me the most is when people post about a post about a post about hive...Like days or weeks later...You know, posts about announcements of things. So annoying (to me). nothing else to write about than saying the same thing, over again?
I'm writing a post, right now, about determining OA (overall length) for seating depth when I make my ammunition...Let's see that repeated around the blockchain. Lol.
I agree with you that there's many other things we could be doing and that for us, anyone to stay there needs to be value. I've changed my determination of value and made it engagement. I get a genuine smile on my face when I read comments, one only moments ago with a photographer who commented on something I'd posted in a comment to him. It's enjoyable. I think we need way more people being people in their posts, then people talking about hive, or that the the BTC price went up 0.02%.
Oh well, we're not going to change people though, I mean look at some of the big downvotes people are incurring and the way it spills over to people loosely associated with those a person is trying to target; I've received that sort of DV myself...People are always going to do what pleases them. All we can do, is be the best version of ourselves, and that's what I try to do. Lead by example, and have some fun.
I liked your post. Easy to read, relevant and balanced. Thanks for replying...Now back to my OAL post. (Hard to make it understandable and non-technical.
"Back in" for a bit this morning @joshman and reading this post brought a smile. You write in a "straight talk" style that is sorely needed IMHO for there to be a healthy, long-term future to this "experiment."
Your reward? A long list of downvoters ... For what? Voicing an opinion that is not adequately "virtuous?" Yes, I am well aware you "can take it," but I have never viewed this even neutrally, let alone positively. Likely never will, as it attempts (failing largely ...) to redefine human nature ...
This aspect of the "experiment", along with many aspects, is based on what you take a step toward calling out. Developers "in here" have a grossly disproportionate role in defining what is "virtuous." I could write a whole post on this but ...
Up until now, I see no path forward as to how they are going to get out of their own way.
Thanks, the majority of those downvotes have nothing to do with my post. It's a very long microvote trail behind a single person, who happens to be Justin Sun sycophant/troll on Hive.
The solution is simply stated. The general population and their collective influence via stake must grow larger. At that point their behavior will be at the whim of public influence, and not the other way around. That sort of influence will not voluntarily be relinquished, it must be taken through better distribution and natural attrition through inflation. This is why there are so many calls to eliminate base layer inflation for authoring/curating, as it solidifies top-down control over the network.
Yes @joshman ...
... this is the right answer. Although I would modify "simple" to "simply stated." Easily stated, but not so easily accomplished:
Note: "In the shadows" between bought and earned, I have always wished there was a quantitative picture for all to see of the outsized influence of the original "mined stake," whether "Ninja" or not. BS comes to mind ...
From my experience in life, I am just being realistic (I consider myself a realistic optimist ...). Then there's this ...
Again, "straight talk" as this is just the "facts of life." There will be no enlightened (certainly an intelligent bunch, but wise?) relinquishment, which would actually be to their long-term advantage, but I see very little evidence they can "see" that far ...
P.S. Thanks for the clarification on the downvotes not being targeted just at this post's content.
Fair point
Well, it does make sense. I reckon most people here on Hive have a passion for the platform.
For me, it is a combination of having a passion for the entire 'blockchain/crypto & social media' idea, and Hive being the platform that works the best for me and has the mostly the same values as I have.
That's why I am posting our articles here now, and although some are about Hive and/or Blockchain and Social Media, we also write deepdives about other verticals that are being enhanced by Blockchain, as well as existing and upcoming projects.
Hope that helps in creating a more varied experience on Hive!
For sure. Hive content is saturated, but I think we do lack some objective voices on how it measures up to other projects. Posts about alternative cryptos are undervalued here, but I think that is a somewhat defensive zero sum game mindset. I believe attracting a wider user base will fix that, and the vanguard of that will be people who care about crypto in general.
Thanks for dropping by!
i noticed that many people tend to shift their interest of writing just to fit the genre which is popular.
write what you love is the best than writing what is trending
I agree! Thanks for dropping by.
I read this very interesting article carefully, and it caught my attention to write to please people or for personal pleasure. Well, I always do it thinking about both options. Nice job.
It can be difficult to strike a good balance if that is what you're going for. Thanks for reading!
Wish I could take this post and add it to the one I wrote yesterday(I can def link it), I titled it 5 questions that plague every new blogger especially on hive, it was totally based on my opinion, its what I will point people to concerning that matter if I was asked, but even yours captures more valid points.
I'm an amateur in this too and have only written for so long, hopefully I get to Unicorn mode.
If you dont mind checking out the post, here's the link
https://hive.blog/hive-148441/@mistakili/5-questions-that-plagues-every-new-blogger
Thanks for sharing! You make some great points in your post as well!
Freewrite: That's the real magic of writing success, @joshman.
I mean... Just write about what you like, without thinking about how others will judge it (because they will do this anyway).
So true... and it's impossible to have any sort of success, without attracting a few haters along the way.
Appreciate your perspective!
Since the inception of Hive, I've been writing about random crap I like instead.
Although, I do have to point out that my one or two posts about Hive seem to have done better than my average post, but my most well-performed ones are still about stuff I like to write about.
Good, "random crap" is needed! I need to tap into my own wellspring of random crap as well.
I write based on how I feel, I'm not really bothered about the likes for the most part.
i always wrote for myself and then i play i spoke with someone else, but i try to say what i would like to share with me, like a garden, cultivating.
That is an interesting perspective-- to plant little seed around and see what grows! Thanks for dropping by!
It is nice to consume a long articles, but the masses don't want to do that....
I always thought that if Steem/Hive is to ever have big leaps of adoption it will be because of other flashy things build on the chain. If we want major growth we need more dapps like instagram, tik tok, youtube. People want to recive instant gradification. Platforms that allow for short videos or sexy imaiges that will blast the content consumers with a hit of dopamine.
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