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This has to be the core question of how all messaging/communications channels work. How much work is it to effectively send messages? How much work is it to eff
by girzel 6y ago
This has to be the core question of how all messaging/communications channels work. How much work is it to effectively send messages? How much work is it to effectively consume messages? I feel like this dichotomy ends up deciding so much about the human effects that eventually arise from these software decisions.
I do a lot of work with people in China, and my main complain with WeChat as a "do everything" medium is that it is 100% set up to prioritize the sender. In practice, this means set up to prioritize the boss. It is an absolute disaster for those on the receiving end: it's nearly impossible to keep track of and effectively act on incoming information. You must respond RIGHT NOW or that information is essentially lost.
In the end, I believe a messaging channel that requires more upfront work on the part of the sender ends up providing knock-on positive effects for everyone involved. But due to the generally ego-first thought process of all human beings – and the absolutely ego-first though process of most bosses – the channel that affords the least friction in sending appeals the most.
Everyone likes to think of themselves as being on the originating end of the firehose.