Unlocking the Power of Reading and Discovery with Matter

Unlocking the Power of Reading and Discovery with Matter

In today's digital age, where information is abundant and easily accessible, finding meaningful and valuable content can be a daunting task. With the rise of social media and the proliferation of online publications, it can be overwhelming to sift through the noise and discover content that truly resonates with us. This is where Matter comes in.

Matter is an innovative platform that aims to improve the visibility of indie authors and provide a curated reading experience for its users. The idea behind Matter was born out of casual conversations between Ben Springwater and Robert Mackenzie during their time at Nextdoor. Both avid readers and power Pocket users, they shared a mutual frustration with the limitations of our current reading stack.

One of the challenges they identified was that previous content consumption or discovery apps were centered around RSS feeds, focusing on the "where" rather than the "who." In an era where email became a new home for content, it was evident that it was not a suitable alternative for consuming long-form content or discovering new information. This realization led Ben and Rob to create Matter, which sought to address two fundamental questions: how we read and what we read.

Matter's approach was to build a network of readers who could curate content and provide social context around their recommendations. They conducted a validation test by creating a roundup newsletter that curated content recommendations from public thinkers on Twitter. Through this experiment, they discovered that the majority of the best content on the internet was not written recently, emphasizing the importance of timeless and valuable pieces.

A key insight that Matter uncovered was the significance of trust in recommendations. As users save more content than they can consume, having trustworthy recommendations becomes crucial in improving their content filters and information diets. This led to the development of Matter's highly-curated recommendations feed, which resonated the most with their user base.

To attract early adopters, Ben and Rob targeted three large online communities: The Interintellect, Progress Studies, and The Long Now Foundation. By working with the leaders of these communities, they were able to introduce Matter to their respective members. This collaborative approach not only provided early access to valuable content but also allowed the community members to play a formative role in shaping the product and recommendations engine.

One of the unique features of Matter is its emphasis on following authors rather than publications. This shift in focus allows users to curate their feed based on the authors they admire, creating a more personalized and tailored reading experience. Additionally, Matter incorporates a social graph of highlights, enabling users to discover what content resonates with the people they admire.

Measuring the quality of content is a complex task, but Matter recognizes the importance of insightful and thought-provoking pieces. While insights, information density, and the author can serve as proxies for high-quality content, Matter's ultimate goal is to surface insightful content from obscure sources that challenges users' worldviews and introduces them to new perspectives.

In conclusion, Matter offers a unique and innovative approach to reading and discovery in the digital age. By leveraging the power of curated recommendations and a network of readers, Matter provides users with a more meaningful and personalized reading experience. To make the most of Matter, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Embrace diverse perspectives: Use Matter as an opportunity to challenge your worldview and explore content from authors and sources that you may not typically encounter. This will expand your horizons and foster intellectual growth.

2. Engage with the community: Take advantage of the social aspect of Matter by connecting with like-minded readers and participating in discussions. By sharing your own recommendations and insights, you contribute to the collective knowledge and create a vibrant community of readers.

3. Continuously refine your feed: As you explore Matter and follow authors, regularly revisit and adjust your feed to ensure it aligns with your evolving interests and preferences. This will help you maintain a curated reading experience that is both relevant and inspiring.

With Matter, the power of reading and discovery is at your fingertips. Start exploring the vast world of content and unlock new insights and perspectives that will enrich your intellectual journey.