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Why the Instagram founders really quit

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Re: Why the Instagram founders really quit

#91

Post by kelnos »

docker_up wrote: post #46

It sounds like despite the criticisms in the article, Instagram has done it right. Everyone still uses the app, with no backlash the way Snap did. My wife and all her friends are using it like crazy still, it's sometimes the only way I can get in contact with her. So Facebook deserves a lot of credit for that, despite the tone of the article.

I'm just a single data point, but my IG usage has dropped considerably over the last year or so. Too many ads, the non-chronological feed, and "feed clutter" (follow suggestions, Stories reminders) have ruined it for me.

Re: Why the Instagram founders really quit

#92

Post by Invictus0 »

kelnos wrote: post #91
docker_up wrote: post #46

It sounds like despite the criticisms in the article, Instagram has done it right. Everyone still uses the app, with no backlash the way Snap did. My wife and all her friends are using it like crazy still, it's sometimes the only way I can get in contact with her. So Facebook deserves a lot of credit for that, despite the tone of the article.

I'm just a single data point, but my IG usage has dropped considerably over the last year or so. Too many ads, the non-chronological feed, and "feed clutter" (follow suggestions, Stories reminders) have ruined it for me.

Counterpoint: I love the Stories feature. Stories are for dramatically different content than the primary feed. They are for the mildly-interesting, curious little joys that permeate our lives, but are not interesting enough to merit documentation for posterity. And yet, it is still different that the type of content you see on Snap because the audience is different.

Re: Why the Instagram founders really quit

#93

Post by wavefunction »

erikpukinskis wrote: post #79
QuercusMax wrote: post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Offending one's delicate sensibilities" is a stock phrase. It's generally used in a tongue-in-cheek/mocking manner, referring to someone who is being overly dramatic; often used together with phrases like "clutching one's pearls". I think they're mocking both Facebook and Systrom at the same time.

To what end? They think people care too much about UI design?

That Systrom checked out but was also checked-in enough to throw a fit over the direction facebook decided to go in his absence/checked-outness.

Re: Why the Instagram founders really quit

#94

Post by clairity »

chmod775 wrote: post #2

So they crippled a better performing product to protect a lesser product - or rather to protect some egos. I refuse to believe they are that stupid.

you don't seem to understand organizations and their politics then, or more charitably, you're being intentionally obtuse. egos, esteem and positioning are the primary drivers of decision-making in an organization (i.e., a political body).

the good of the product is of secondary concern in most organizations. it's the opposite in (young) startups, because their success depends on it. this, to me, is one of the main reasons to work for a startup, not the financial rewards or the vague experience of it. it's to build a product you're proud of.

Re: Why the Instagram founders really quit

#95

Post by lowdose »

docker_up wrote: post #46

It sounds like despite the criticisms in the article, Instagram has done it right. Everyone still uses the app, with no backlash the way Snap did. My wife and all her friends are using it like crazy still, it's sometimes the only way I can get in contact with her. So Facebook deserves a lot of credit for that, despite the tone of the article.

You fact checked she doesn't carry a insta-hubby on the side?

Re: Why the Instagram founders really quit

#96

Post by linuxftw »

strict9 wrote: post #24
linuxftw wrote: post #21

Perhaps the founders were really just dead weight and were forced out because they contributed no value to the product. What's so unique about instagram? Only thing I can think of is that it's popular. It doesn't seem to be novel from a technology standpoint. There doesn't seem to be any secret sauce for making it generate cash. What would you say, the founders did successfully after the acquisition? Given unlimited…

It's popular because it's not an enormous junk drawer of features that tries to be everything to everyone. Their success was in keeping a design that was brainlessly simple and easy to use/understand.

Well, then I suppose they weren't needed any more. A full time C-level/VP-level position who's mere job is to say "Don't change anything!" doesn't seem very useful.

Re: Why the Instagram founders really quit

#97

Post by rdiddly »

chmod775 wrote: post #2

So they crippled a better performing product to protect a lesser product - or rather to protect some egos. I refuse to believe they are that stupid.

It's a tough pill to swallow, I'll give you that, because it challenges the idea that we live in a just and ordered world. If it turned out that nobody was in charge, or that those in charge are no smarter than we are and don't particularly deserve to be in charge, or even that they're mismanaging things grossly... well that means nobody in the world really knows what the hell's going on and we're all just floundering along. That feels like being orphaned. Or pushed out the door into the cold night with no shirt. "Le Roi est mort - vive le Roi!"

Re: Why the Instagram founders really quit

#98

Post by sjg007 »

Fins wrote: post #86
sjg007 wrote: post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think Zuckerberg and Page should exercise their clout as a media moguls. Murdoch is scared of them. Also, Obama and Trump's Presidential victories show how a well coordinated social media campaign can win you the Presidency. Zuckerberg wants "to give people the power to build a global community that works for all of us." He should double down on that. You are right though.. Europe is really the only regulator we ca…

Do you seriously believe the generic PR-speak of "to give people the power to build a global community that works for all of us."?!

No.. I think they should double down on strategies to curb fake news and misleading ads and adopt some rules similar to the Fairness doctrine.

Re: Why the Instagram founders really quit

#99

Post by taurath »

ineedasername wrote: post #23

This article was based on another one written by Wired. [0] That much longer article is well worth the read for a more in-depth look at the politics and challenges that Facebook has gone through recently. [0] https://www.wired.com/story/facebook-mark-zuckerberg-15-mont...

I can't help but feel like there's no actual narrative being formed throughout the article - the vignettes keep coming one after another until your eyes glaze over - the story can't keep its eye on one thing at a time - I'd recommend skipping to section VII.

Re: Why the Instagram founders really quit

#100

Post by JohnFen »

kerng wrote: post #72
ineedasername wrote: post #23

This article was based on another one written by Wired. [0] That much longer article is well worth the read for a more in-depth look at the politics and challenges that Facebook has gone through recently. [0] https://www.wired.com/story/facebook-mark-zuckerberg-15-mont...

Thanks for sharing the Wired article - it's really good and I have read the entire thing. What stood out was the conclusion to me, when Zuckerberg was asked how FB would be in 10 years, and his replies show that he does not understand the implications technologies will have on society and the dangers they enable - it sounds like that's his main repeating pattern. From comments like dumb fucks, to impossible FB had an…

I think Zuckerberg's attitude (whether he really believes this or it's just a PR tactic, I have no idea) is that if Facebook does it, then it must be a good thing by definition.

> I would not trust FB any time soon again.

I agree, although I would say that I won't be able to trust FB ever.

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