Why I'm Building Glasp? - The Essence of Foursquare: Gamification Vs. Lifelogging

Why I'm Building Glasp? - The Essence of Foursquare: Gamification Vs. Lifelogging

I remember thinking that I wanted to be of use to the world through a steady way of life like my grandfather. I was struck by the desire to prove that I existed in this world and that my life had meaning, and the urge to leave something useful behind for the world while I was still alive. While many things change over time, one thing remains the same. That is human nature, that we want to leave something good behind for future generations.

Of the tens of billions of people who have existed in human history, only a handful have survived in the form of books and traditions. "Why can't we learn effectively from the experiences of others?" As Bismarck said, "Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others." It would be of great value to humanity and to all life on earth if the trajectory of experience that someone has followed throughout their life, especially the important parts of it, could be inherited and developed by the next person who takes the same path.

Through Glasp and my life, I want to "democratize access to other people's learning and experiences that they have collected throughout their lives as a utilitarian legacy." Mahatma Gandhi said, "My life is my message." Let's make your message visible and accessible to other people.

The essence of Foursquare is not gamification. While Foursquare incorporates elements like badges to attract new users, it is merely a marketing strategy. The real benefit of using Foursquare lies in its lifelogging feature, which essentially becomes your personal big data. While some users may be motivated to go out and collect badges, most people use Foursquare for other reasons.

One of these reasons is the "broadcasting" aspect. Instead of using Twitter's "checking in now" feature, people use Foursquare to share their location. I have personally experienced this when a junior colleague wanted to meet me at a cafe after seeing my check-in. While there is often concern about privacy when sharing location information, with the right privacy rules in place, it can become a valuable tool for meaningful connections.

Another important use of Foursquare is as a lifelog. Foursquare provides features that allow you to review your past check-ins, such as feeds that can be integrated with iCal and other calendars. By registering the iCal file on Google Calendar, you can look back on check-in information from years ago. Over time, this becomes a fascinating lifelog, your personal version of big data.

So, what is the essence of Foursquare? It is not gamification. Gamification only appeals to a certain number of users. The essence lies in the fact that it serves as a platform for sharing one's location and lifelog. But how did Foursquare acquire its initial users?

Incorporating the essence of Foursquare into Glasp, my aim is to create a system that allows everyone to share and develop their learnings as their legacy in a natural way. By tapping into the lifelogging aspect of Foursquare, Glasp can provide a platform for individuals to leave behind their experiences and knowledge for future generations. Just as Mahatma Gandhi's life became his message, we can make our own messages visible and accessible to others through Glasp.

In conclusion, the essence of Foursquare lies in its lifelogging feature, not in gamification. While badges may attract some users, the real value of Foursquare is in the ability to share your location and create a lifelog. Glasp aims to build upon this essence by democratizing access to other people's experiences and learnings, allowing their legacies to be carried forward. Here are three actionable pieces of advice for utilizing lifelogging platforms like Foursquare and Glasp:

1. Embrace the broadcasting aspect: Use Foursquare or similar platforms to share your location and connect with others in a meaningful way. By being mindful of privacy rules, you can create valuable connections and opportunities.

2. Utilize lifelogging features: Take advantage of lifelogging features in platforms like Foursquare and Glasp. By reviewing your past check-ins and experiences, you can gain insights, reflect on your journey, and create a personal version of big data.

3. Leave a legacy: Consider how you can leave behind your experiences and knowledge for future generations. Whether it's through lifelogging platforms like Glasp or other means, find ways to make your message visible and accessible to others.

By incorporating these pieces of advice into your own journey, you can make the most of lifelogging platforms and leave a lasting impact on the world.