The Value of Attention

#1

Post by cwan » Mon, May 17, 2010, 4:11 PM UTC

Re: The Value of Attention

#2

Post by briancooley » Mon, May 17, 2010, 5:08 PM UTC

The value of having a guest editorial in the NYT goes far beyond whatever payment one might receive. Just ask the Diaspora quartet. (I realize they didn't have an editorial. Work with me. ;-) )

That component is so large, I'm not sure I can separate it enough to address the spirit of SA's question.

There's a certain component of esteem that goes along with most of our actions, but our desire to attain it can almost always be linked to a promise of tangible gain.

Re: The Value of Attention

#3

Post by CoryMathews » Mon, May 17, 2010, 5:11 PM UTC

I'm to poor to pay attention...

Re: The Value of Attention

#4

Post by wheaties » Mon, May 17, 2010, 5:19 PM UTC

I think Google with YouTube has already attempted to monetize the "pay attention to me" phenomenon. Then there's Wordpress and a host of other blogging services. However, I have to agree, pay-attention-to-me-as-a-service is a good business model if you do it right.

Re: The Value of Attention

#5

Post by alexcharlie » Mon, May 17, 2010, 5:20 PM UTC

Some brilliant dating sites monetize by creating an attention economy.

Fubar.com comes to mind. We tried to emulate some of this for Friends for Sale.

Re: The Value of Attention

#6

Post by ruchi » Mon, May 17, 2010, 5:33 PM UTC

Karma system for submissions and comments is already using it to some extent.

Re: The Value of Attention

#7

Post by pwhelan » Mon, May 17, 2010, 6:11 PM UTC

ruchi wrote: post #6

Karma system for submissions and comments is already using it to some extent.

ruchi -- ok ok ruchi I'll upvote you. I assure you ruchi that these desperate pleas for us to notice you and your cool handle, ruchi, haven't gone unnoticed.

I had never thought of this, but it clarifies why so many people on the internet (and sadly some friends irl) seem not to be trolling but just making relatively ludicrous statements. Ever since reading this I've been analyzing everything everyone in the office is saying and the conversations they've started. It's like a weird Heisenberg conversational thing.

Re: The Value of Attention

#8

Post by [deleted] » Mon, May 17, 2010, 6:14 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: The Value of Attention

#9

Post by brandnewlow » Mon, May 17, 2010, 6:58 PM UTC

Isn't he just talking about advertising?

Re: The Value of Attention

#10

Post by culled » Mon, May 17, 2010, 7:20 PM UTC

brandnewlow wrote: post #9

Isn't he just talking about advertising?

No, he's talking about people's desire to receive attention. Advertising puts a price on getting attention from others but it generally does so to try to sell stuff not just as a self-esteem boost.