4 ms·

If that is a notable categorisation then what is the difference that makes forums better?

seesawtron 6y ago
I feel the trigger of social media is getting dopamine-like reward signal when people like/share your posts. Its underlying acceptance of "you" aspect of it, rather than the idea itself that you share. In a forum, being an anonymous user, it doesn't affect you as much on a personal level which allows for a more rational discussion by detaching the "personal" side of you from it. Of course, that is only true in theory as we are all prone to taking everything personally (myself included) but I try consciously to change that.
- kiplkipl 6y ago
  This website has rapid interaction from other users and visible upvotes that add up over time to create a personal score that nets you extra benefits. If I worked for Facebook, I'd like stronger evidence than amateur psychology for me to feel morally compelled to give up my livelihood. Edit: furthermore many users post with real or pseudo-real names that reward them with real life social clout.
  - seesawtron 6y ago
    For example, is there any revenue generated from people visiting users' profiles on HN? But there is revenue from ads on Facebook and Instagram profiles that millions subscribe to. There is no "subscription" like cult on this forum (afaik). I do not see content based on whether user has high points or not. Unlike social media, where people with more followers get more visibility. So I think the scoring vs followers is not really comparable. I use adblocker so I do not see ads on HN. Correct me if this is different from your experience. I can imagine, as you point out, the impact on "social life" for users with real/pseudo real names. Back in the day forums were used for anonymous discussions when you would not trust strangers on the internet. I guess now the opposite is trending.
    - kiplkipl 6y ago
      I've expanded on this in another comment but I do think that YC gain a real but indirect financial benefit from operating this website. >Back in the day forums were used for anonymous discussions when you would not trust strangers on the internet. I guess now the opposite is trending. While writing this I was thinking of the famous 'LINUX is obsolete' thread.
- peruvian 6y ago
  This website literally has upvotes and comments - two ways millions of people get dopamine.
  - 12xo 6y ago
    So Social Media is any digital tool that allows people to interact? I really dont understand your definition as every human interaction across all mediums could be defined as social media. And yet the term and the tools did not exist prior to 2003ish... So was Usenet social media? Was Aol and Prodigy?
    - peruvian 6y ago
      Yes. Sometimes new terms come in later? Not really surprising. I was getting dopamine hits on 4chan and GameFAQs in 2005 when I was 12. I'd call it social media.

I feel the trigger of social media is getting dopamine-like reward signal when people like/share your posts. Its underlying acceptance of "you" aspect of it, rather than the idea itself that you share. In a forum, being an anonymous user, it doesn't affect you as much on a personal level which allows for a more rational discussion by detaching the "personal" side of you from it. Of course, that is only true in theory as we are all prone to taking everything personally (myself included) but I try consciously to change that.

kiplkipl 6y ago
This website has rapid interaction from other users and visible upvotes that add up over time to create a personal score that nets you extra benefits. If I worked for Facebook, I'd like stronger evidence than amateur psychology for me to feel morally compelled to give up my livelihood. Edit: furthermore many users post with real or pseudo-real names that reward them with real life social clout.
- seesawtron 6y ago
  For example, is there any revenue generated from people visiting users' profiles on HN? But there is revenue from ads on Facebook and Instagram profiles that millions subscribe to. There is no "subscription" like cult on this forum (afaik). I do not see content based on whether user has high points or not. Unlike social media, where people with more followers get more visibility. So I think the scoring vs followers is not really comparable. I use adblocker so I do not see ads on HN. Correct me if this is different from your experience. I can imagine, as you point out, the impact on "social life" for users with real/pseudo real names. Back in the day forums were used for anonymous discussions when you would not trust strangers on the internet. I guess now the opposite is trending.
  - kiplkipl 6y ago
    I've expanded on this in another comment but I do think that YC gain a real but indirect financial benefit from operating this website. >Back in the day forums were used for anonymous discussions when you would not trust strangers on the internet. I guess now the opposite is trending. While writing this I was thinking of the famous 'LINUX is obsolete' thread.
peruvian 6y ago
This website literally has upvotes and comments - two ways millions of people get dopamine.
- 12xo 6y ago
  So Social Media is any digital tool that allows people to interact? I really dont understand your definition as every human interaction across all mediums could be defined as social media. And yet the term and the tools did not exist prior to 2003ish... So was Usenet social media? Was Aol and Prodigy?
  - peruvian 6y ago
    Yes. Sometimes new terms come in later? Not really surprising. I was getting dopamine hits on 4chan and GameFAQs in 2005 when I was 12. I'd call it social media.