The death of the newsfeed and the story of Atrium are two separate topics, but they share some common points that can be connected naturally. Both topics revolve around the challenges and shortcomings of social media platforms and startups.
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Sep 08, 2023
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The death of the newsfeed and the story of Atrium are two separate topics, but they share some common points that can be connected naturally. Both topics revolve around the challenges and shortcomings of social media platforms and startups.
One of the common points is the issue of overload. In the case of the newsfeed, Facebook users are eligible to see at least 1,500 items per day. This is a result of Dunbar's number, which suggests that people have hundreds of connections on social media. Additionally, Zuckerberg's law implies that people share more and more on social media over time. However, this leads to an overload of content on users' feeds, as everyone is posting lots of things, including less important ones.
Similarly, Atrium faced challenges with hiring too fast in order to capitalize on initial momentum. This led to a lack of cohesion and support within the company, causing friction and ultimately leading to the loss of co-founders, friends, and customers. Both Facebook and Atrium experienced the consequences of overload and the need for more thoughtful and strategic approaches.
Another common point is the need for personal growth and learning. In the case of Atrium, Justin Kan admits that the failures of the company were reflective of his own shortcomings. He had initially focused on creating the biggest possible company without considering the importance of product differentiation and setting a cohesive culture. This realization highlights the importance of personal growth and learning from failures.
Similarly, Facebook's algorithmic feed was an attempt to provide users with a personalized experience. However, getting the sample 'right' is challenging, as people's desires and interests change over time. Facebook has to constantly adjust its algorithm to try to reflect these changes. This highlights the need for continuous learning and adaptation in the ever-changing landscape of social media.
Incorporating unique ideas or insights, one can argue that both Facebook and Atrium faced challenges due to the lack of a direct signal. Facebook relies on subjective judgments to determine what users want to see, while Atrium struggled to identify who they were building their product for. This lack of a direct signal makes it difficult to meet the needs and expectations of users and customers.
Based on these common points, there are three actionable pieces of advice that can be derived:
- 1. Focus on quality over quantity: Both Facebook and Atrium faced challenges due to overload. Instead of posting or sharing lots of things, it's important to prioritize quality content and products. This will help create a more meaningful and manageable experience for users and customers.
- 2. Foster a supportive and cohesive culture: Atrium's failure to set a cohesive culture led to friction and the loss of co-founders. Building a strong and supportive culture within a company can help create a sense of unity and support among team members. This will contribute to the overall success and growth of the company.
- 3. Embrace continuous learning and adaptation: Both Facebook and Atrium faced challenges due to the rapidly changing nature of their respective industries. It's important to embrace a mindset of continuous learning and adaptation in order to stay relevant and meet the evolving needs of users and customers.
In conclusion, the death of the newsfeed and the story of Atrium shed light on the challenges and shortcomings faced by social media platforms and startups. Both topics highlight the importance of addressing overload, fostering a supportive culture, and embracing continuous learning and adaptation. By taking these actionable advice into consideration, companies can navigate the complex landscape of social media and startups more effectively.
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