I’m not sure what to say right now. Though the AVC People list is here. (now you can’t complain, it is at the top of the post.)
Originally I had started this list many moons ago because Fred Wilson told me that I should follow the people on AVC.com in order to learn more about the world.
I originally was using Disqus, I found that experience semi-unsatisfying. It was doable, but all the comments seemed out of context. So I ended up stalking the user base on twitter.
Then the KidMecury outed me one day. That was embarrassing. Not soon after, Erik Schwartz asked if there was a twitter list available of regular commentators.
Thus, my personal ambition of just being quiet and going on my way was sort of crushed. The List kind of had to get bigger. My original intent was to just get all the people who had commented 10 times per month. I figured they were definitely reading and not just popping in this one time, never to be seen again. I wanted to look for those who were engaged, and then make them more engaged. This was extremely hard to figure out. Some people just pop in occasionally. Some people post an occasional comment here and there, and I wasn’t sure where they were primarily associated with. And some people hid their twitter or just didn’t have (and still do). I’m still not sure of who everyone is (Though Hi! if you are missing can you tell me?)
I needed help so I asked and became a pain in the neck.
The post announcing the list has a huge amount of unique comments. A number included people who hadn’t commented before; who feel like “All I can say is Yes” or who read through Rss feeds, who feel like if they comment they are late to the conversation, and even a person who just likes stuff without telling anyone until now.
To those people: You have something valuable to say. Maybe not all the time (and I probably talk to much, but I’ll admit publicly I’m actually, uh, competitive about comments.) Just find someone who you disagree with slightly. Or maybe say why you like something.
I wasn’t ever expecting to become a commentator with a massive amount of comments. I wasn’t ever expecting to ever write a blog, or start talking about what I like from a UX/UI point of view. This was not my imaginary life (actually I didn’t know what I wanted precisely, and I’m still working parts of that out.)
I did it because I found it engaging. Clearly the vast majority who read AVC.com find it engaging too.
Next question: What now?
I’m not fully sure. This is a very unique experiment in social media.
This list is now massively larger than it was before. I have managed to get everyone in the comments so far. How am I supposed to get those other missing people over time? (and I may eventually break the list down into two if it gets too heavy- there is a 500 person limit to lists I think.) And what do those people want? (I like products, I like engaging people, and it’s a good question.)
Further, some new complications. This is an over 200 person list, and that is before I add the people who are following the list, before I get to Listorious. It’s a bit of a madhouse of a list. I’m ok with this. However from a sheer practical perspective, I don’t think many people have the tolerance for engaging in 200+ people at once even through a stream. Let’s face it, in person, I get intimidated by a crowd of 200 people. I figure for some it is very similar in social media.
There has to be multiple uses for this list. Don’t be afraid to engage people- but also don’t be afraid to cull down into your own little world if you find this all very intense. This is a contact list, a question list, and answer list, a place where people tell the world little bits about their tiny corner of it. And there are a large variety of folks, from crafters to hedge fund people (and this is not the time to make fun of hedge funds). In some ways, it’s very diverse (though there is a definite lean towards men in their mid to late 30s involved in technology.)
In exchange- look out for each other and the list. And find the people who aren’t engaged yet, and engage them. Ask them why. Really simple request. I promise. Just asking apparently makes people feel a lot better. Yes, people want to know what you are thinking.
Also- piece of advice: Go back to the original intent of the list. I only created it because I wanted to learn more via other people. Contact people with questions, comments, and see if you learn something new.
(Just remember this does expose you a little, if you feel uncomfortable about exposing parts of your life, or being exposed to other people’s- you should also ask to not be part of this.)
One last thought:
AVC.com has it’s own twitter id. It’s now attached to the list. So yes, the posts will appear too, along with each other.
Have fun!
PS If you have advice, you might want to throw in a word or two. This is new even for me.
The AVC People List
I’m not sure what to say right now. Though the AVC People list is here. (now you can’t complain, it is at the top of the post.)
Originally I had started this list many moons ago because Fred Wilson told me that I should follow the people on AVC.com in order to learn more about the world.
I originally was using Disqus, I found that experience semi-unsatisfying. It was doable, but all the comments seemed out of context. So I ended up stalking the user base on twitter.
Then the KidMecury outed me one day. That was embarrassing. Not soon after, Erik Schwartz asked if there was a twitter list available of regular commentators.
Thus, my personal ambition of just being quiet and going on my way was sort of crushed. The List kind of had to get bigger. My original intent was to just get all the people who had commented 10 times per month. I figured they were definitely reading and not just popping in this one time, never to be seen again. I wanted to look for those who were engaged, and then make them more engaged. This was extremely hard to figure out. Some people just pop in occasionally. Some people post an occasional comment here and there, and I wasn’t sure where they were primarily associated with. And some people hid their twitter or just didn’t have (and still do). I’m still not sure of who everyone is (Though Hi! if you are missing can you tell me?)
I needed help so I asked and became a pain in the neck.
The post announcing the list has a huge amount of unique comments. A number included people who hadn’t commented before; who feel like “All I can say is Yes” or who read through Rss feeds, who feel like if they comment they are late to the conversation, and even a person who just likes stuff without telling anyone until now.
To those people: You have something valuable to say. Maybe not all the time (and I probably talk to much, but I’ll admit publicly I’m actually, uh, competitive about comments.) Just find someone who you disagree with slightly. Or maybe say why you like something.
I wasn’t ever expecting to become a commentator with a massive amount of comments. I wasn’t ever expecting to ever write a blog, or start talking about what I like from a UX/UI point of view. This was not my imaginary life (actually I didn’t know what I wanted precisely, and I’m still working parts of that out.)
I did it because I found it engaging. Clearly the vast majority who read AVC.com find it engaging too.
Next question: What now?
I’m not fully sure. This is a very unique experiment in social media.
This list is now massively larger than it was before. I have managed to get everyone in the comments so far. How am I supposed to get those other missing people over time? (and I may eventually break the list down into two if it gets too heavy- there is a 500 person limit to lists I think.) And what do those people want? (I like products, I like engaging people, and it’s a good question.)
Further, some new complications. This is an over 200 person list, and that is before I add the people who are following the list, before I get to Listorious. It’s a bit of a madhouse of a list. I’m ok with this. However from a sheer practical perspective, I don’t think many people have the tolerance for engaging in 200+ people at once even through a stream. Let’s face it, in person, I get intimidated by a crowd of 200 people. I figure for some it is very similar in social media.
There has to be multiple uses for this list. Don’t be afraid to engage people- but also don’t be afraid to cull down into your own little world if you find this all very intense. This is a contact list, a question list, and answer list, a place where people tell the world little bits about their tiny corner of it. And there are a large variety of folks, from crafters to hedge fund people (and this is not the time to make fun of hedge funds). In some ways, it’s very diverse (though there is a definite lean towards men in their mid to late 30s involved in technology.)
In exchange- look out for each other and the list. And find the people who aren’t engaged yet, and engage them. Ask them why. Really simple request. I promise. Just asking apparently makes people feel a lot better. Yes, people want to know what you are thinking.
Also- piece of advice: Go back to the original intent of the list. I only created it because I wanted to learn more via other people. Contact people with questions, comments, and see if you learn something new.
(Just remember this does expose you a little, if you feel uncomfortable about exposing parts of your life, or being exposed to other people’s- you should also ask to not be part of this.)
One last thought:
AVC.com has it’s own twitter id. It’s now attached to the list. So yes, the posts will appear too, along with each other.
Have fun!
PS If you have advice, you might want to throw in a word or two. This is new even for me.