4 ms·

Very insightful breakdown. I guess I still feel it must be possible to reconcile the two goals, but I have a feeling you may be right that I should try and put

by Psyonic 17y ago

Very insightful breakdown. I guess I still feel it must be possible to reconcile the two goals, but I have a feeling you may be right that I should try and put one off for now. Food for thought, certainly. I really appreciate you discussing this with me

DenisM 17y ago
I was explaining it to myself as much as to you and I am thankful for the opportunity. That's really the only case when I am compelled to speak of such things - to gain more clarity myself. I am not entirely over this either - far form it. I do iPhone apps with a loyal user base but modest revenue, while my friend is making crazy money on affiliate marketing. I should really just go and join him, yet I can't bring myself to do it. Unlike you I don't find appealing to users base instincts beneath me, to the contrary I think that emotional engagement is something people crave and I must provide to create a great product. The basic problem however is similar - I have a seemingly more profitable opportunity that I am not pursuing for reasons that are not entirely rational.
- Psyonic 17y ago
  Funny... your situation is very similar to mine, actually. I also have friends/acquaintances making big bucks with affiliate marketing, and I've dabbled in it myself, but I can never seem to muster enough enthusiasm to put much work into it. I can't help feeling like I'm not really adding value, though I do think AM can add value, if done right. Also, I wouldn't be so quick to assume you're not acting rationally. Not robotic, certainly, but a rational human would consider the way his work makes him feel, etc. I realize this may seem contradictory, as rational/emotional are often seen as opposites, but we are human and we have emotions, so ignoring them entirely must be irrational. In other words, working towards maximum profit is not necessarily rational. I'm torn on appealing to base instincts... I believe it can enhance an experience, but I have a hard time stomaching out-right manipulation. Naturally there is room in the middle, but I guess it's up to each of us to draw that line for ourselves.

by Psyonic 17y ago

DenisM 17y ago

I was explaining it to myself as much as to you and I am thankful for the opportunity. That's really the only case when I am compelled to speak of such things - to gain more clarity myself. I am not entirely over this either - far form it. I do iPhone apps with a loyal user base but modest revenue, while my friend is making crazy money on affiliate marketing. I should really just go and join him, yet I can't bring myself to do it. Unlike you I don't find appealing to users base instincts beneath me, to the contrary I think that emotional engagement is something people crave and I must provide to create a great product. The basic problem however is similar - I have a seemingly more profitable opportunity that I am not pursuing for reasons that are not entirely rational.

Psyonic 17y ago
Funny... your situation is very similar to mine, actually. I also have friends/acquaintances making big bucks with affiliate marketing, and I've dabbled in it myself, but I can never seem to muster enough enthusiasm to put much work into it. I can't help feeling like I'm not really adding value, though I do think AM can add value, if done right. Also, I wouldn't be so quick to assume you're not acting rationally. Not robotic, certainly, but a rational human would consider the way his work makes him feel, etc. I realize this may seem contradictory, as rational/emotional are often seen as opposites, but we are human and we have emotions, so ignoring them entirely must be irrational. In other words, working towards maximum profit is not necessarily rational. I'm torn on appealing to base instincts... I believe it can enhance an experience, but I have a hard time stomaching out-right manipulation. Naturally there is room in the middle, but I guess it's up to each of us to draw that line for ourselves.