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Ask HN: How might HN build a social network together?

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Re: Ask HN: How might HN build a social network together?

#391

Post by eitland »

SoftTalker wrote: post #253
kayodelycaon wrote: post #190

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The first problem I see is separating my online identity with my real identity. I really don't want anyone at my job finding out which dog I am on the internet. My coworkers and family really wouldn't appreciate my shit posting. :) The second is friends of friends can get really awkward. There are some people who are friends with me that are also friends with people who never want to see me again.

> My coworkers and family really wouldn't appreciate my shit posting. Shit posting is one of the biggest forms of toxicity online. It would be nice if it went away by tying posts to real people. Some people don't care and would shitpost anyway, but most people only shitpost because nobody knows who they really are.

> It would be nice if it went away by tying posts to real people. Some people don't care and would shitpost anyway, but most people only shitpost because nobody knows who they really are.

If this was true and the only explanation, HN should be much worse than it is and Facebook should be much better than it is.

Even as a person who hardly ever get in trouble with mods I have come to deeply appreciate the possibility to have accounts or profiles totally disconnected from reality.

Many stories we see couldn't have been shared if a hard link to a real identity was necessary, and many questions could not ve asked.

For example random22username12 asking about some technical aspect about some software is not a problem.

But if he is Firstname Lastname from Some Company it might get him in trouble, as it might tell others what they are working on.

Re: Ask HN: How might HN build a social network together?

#392

Post by reitanqild »

holler wrote: post #331
dasil003 wrote: post #290

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wish I could upvote this more than once. The first rule of social network is that it's useless without many people on it, and there has to be some hook to get them in. But you won't figure that out just by thinking about it and imagining how people will behave. In practice it's a billion subtle factors which you can't reason about without a tangible product that people are interacting with.

100%. I've been going through this exact concept in building https://sqwok.im . I got a ton of positive feedback but also "it's not fully baked yet", "not quite there", "missing X feature". It's a challenge but you have to believe in it and keep pushing, try new things, and constantly collect feedback.

FWIW: It is already seriously cool.

Re: Ask HN: How might HN build a social network together?

#393

Post by holler »

reitanqild wrote: post #392
holler wrote: post #331

Earlier quoted context omitted.

100%. I've been going through this exact concept in building https://sqwok.im . I got a ton of positive feedback but also "it's not fully baked yet", "not quite there", "missing X feature". It's a challenge but you have to believe in it and keep pushing, try new things, and constantly collect feedback.

FWIW: It is already seriously cool.

Thank you! Appreciate that. Hoping to find ways to get the word out and grow the community. So far it's been a fun ride!

Re: Ask HN: How might HN build a social network together?

#394

Post by shanebellone »

outsidetheparty wrote: post #377
shanebellone wrote: post #133

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What piece of technology do you use that wasn't pitched like this: Like product but differentiating feature . Reach is the fundamental flaw from both operational and social standpoints. It makes the world worse. We regulate heroin for the same reason. Although this argument makes me a bit of a hypocrite because I do believe all drugs should be legal and regulated. I'm not entirely sure which opinion will hold after I…

Well, sure, but this is "like product but minus the thing that makes product compelling . If you want people to use a service, you have to give them a reason to use it -- "because it's good for you" isn't exactly going to fill your onboarding funnel, however true it might be.

I firmly disagree.

An understanding of negativity requires an understanding of positivity. To shift the paradigm, one must offer a more fulfilling alternative. A rewarding experience would highlight the disadvantages inherent to the current paradigm.

A net-positive implementation would be the catalyst for mass migration.

Re: Ask HN: How might HN build a social network together?

#395

Post by outsidetheparty »

shanebellone wrote: post #394
outsidetheparty wrote: post #377

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, sure, but this is "like product but minus the thing that makes product compelling . If you want people to use a service, you have to give them a reason to use it -- "because it's good for you" isn't exactly going to fill your onboarding funnel, however true it might be.

I firmly disagree. An understanding of negativity requires an understanding of positivity. To shift the paradigm, one must offer a more fulfilling alternative. A rewarding experience would highlight the disadvantages inherent to the current paradigm. A net-positive implementation would be the catalyst for mass migration.

"To shift the paradigm, one must offer a more fulfilling alternative. A rewarding experience would highlight the disadvantages inherent to the current paradigm."

Yep, that's what I'm talking about. What's the "more fulfilling alternative" in a social network that won't let you talk to people?

Re: Ask HN: How might HN build a social network together?

#396

Post by dennis_jeeves1 »

runlaszlorun wrote: post #85

I’m sure at least 75% of you guys in here are stronger technically than me. And 99% of you have probably seen more success in their careers than I have. But I’ve been building little throwaway code experiments for the last three years and its totally doable. I haven’t seen a regular paycheck since March 2019 when I was fired from a Director of Engineering role from a firm so shitty and a job so toxic I actually do th…

Alex, I presume that your post was basically directed at the whole social circle thing, if i understood you.

I guess as the end of the day one has to ask as to what social circles achieves.

I don't think any code or online solutions will in itself achieve anything, however it can be certainly an amplifier if there are the right people involved. Go ahead have a look at my profile and the link ( 5 minute read) that I put in the profile and see if it is something that perks your interest. Heads up: most people I think are repulsed by my idea, or at least would think I'm a nutcase.

Re: Ask HN: How might HN build a social network together?

#397

Post by jmfnyc96 »

prawn wrote: post #389
jmfnyc96 wrote: post #365

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks for the thoughtful comment. We have been discussing this internally and eventually will end up where users want it to be. But imho the slider will prove to be fun and provide more of an emotional connection with the topic and the app. But we will certainly have shortcuts so most likely will be the best of both a slider and a quick 5 choices.

We have a successful app where an early key was a satisfying button, so I get the interest in that. But if you're up against the current boom social app not requiring interaction beyond quick swipes/taps, you'll want to absolutely minimise friction in your own effort. And cover less content. No need for a modal with the slider and ugly buttons. Just have 5 face emoji circles hovering over the content. Think about how…

Thanks for the insight. Point taken

Re: Ask HN: How might HN build a social network together?

#398

Post by Zamicol »

How to fix censorship on social media?

Empower everyone with their own cryptographic keys.

This requires easier to use cryptographic tools so developers can write clients for users. I'm working on a tool that makes using cryptography easier:

https://github.com/Cyphrme/Coze

Re: Ask HN: How might HN build a social network together?

#399

Post by yencabulator »

throwaway22032 wrote: post #234
birdman3131 wrote: post #205

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You seem to be under the impression that real life access is the indicator of closeness of relationship. It is usually not. Out of my set of close friends the vast majority I have never met in person. Most family I might add are in entirely separate states. Most of my IRL friends no longer live near me.

This marks you as a tremendous outlier.

Imagine moving to a different country/state just before this app becomes popular. All your friends & family are now far away.

Most of the people I've become friends with since my 30s have moved long distances to be where I happened to meet them. Melting pot cities like Los Angeles consist largely of people who moved there from other states!

This seems like a silly design, adding a huge barrier to getting started.

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