The Perks of Being a Regular: Lists, Networks, and Finding Community

The Perks of Being a Regular: Lists, Networks, and Finding Community

I was raised as a regular, so it’s no surprise that I glommed on to a favorite early in adulthood. Growing up, my parents maintained unwavering fidelity to a handful of tried-and-true favorites. When you’re a regular, you become a creature of habit and ritual, joyously unburdened by the agonies of choice. As much as I like fine dining, marveling obsequiously at a solemn procession of perfect tasting-menu dishes is a surefire way to dampen dinner conversation.

But being a regular isn't just about convenience or avoiding decision fatigue. It's about forging connections and finding a sense of belonging. Freedom from the externalities of restaurant choice allows you to forge a deeper connection with restaurant staff. It's like having a second family, a home away from home. A neighborhood restaurant is a convenience; a restaurant where you’re a regular is a compass. It provides a sense of stability and familiarity in a constantly changing world.

However, being a regular isn't always easy. It requires unwavering commitment and physical effort. It means going out of your way to visit the same place, even when there are other options available. It means investing time and energy into building relationships with the staff and becoming a part of the community. But the rewards are worth it. The best thing about being a regular, especially in a city that values exceptionalism, is that it allows you to be regular. It gives you permission to be yourself, to find comfort in routine and familiarity.

Interestingly, the concept of being a regular can be applied to other areas of life as well. In the world of technology and the internet, lists have become a popular way to organize information and make sense of the overwhelming amount of content available. Lists provide structure and a sense of order in a chaotic digital landscape. But what makes a list successful? And why haven't we seen a breakout success in listmaking?

Lists can be categorized into two modes: making lists for yourself (task management) and making lists for others (publishing). While there have been attempts to create platforms for listmaking, none have successfully bridged the gap between these two modes. A startup that focuses on the single user case could potentially bootstrap itself into a network by enabling users to create lists for others. But to my knowledge, no startup has been able to achieve this.

The key to creating a successful list platform lies in creating a quality factor. The quality of a list is directly related to the insights it provides and the value it offers to users. Lists that offer unique and valuable content are more likely to gain traction and engage users over time. Additionally, finding ways to make lists dynamic and actionable, and creating network effects between list creators and readers, can enhance the overall user experience.

But why haven't we seen a breakout success in listmaking? Perhaps it's because lists are inherently limited in their utility. Most lists don't solve urgent problems, which makes building a business around them challenging. Additionally, the lack of a centralized and open-source system for creating and managing lists adds another layer of complexity.

However, there is still potential for success in the listmaking space. By focusing on specific verticals and niches, such as food, travel, shopping, reading, film, music, etc., startups can cater to the unique needs and preferences of users in those areas. Building a community around listmaking, where users can interact and collaborate, can also be a key factor in creating a successful platform.

In conclusion, being a regular provides a sense of stability and belonging. It allows us to find comfort in routine and familiarity. Similarly, listmaking offers a way to organize and make sense of the overwhelming amount of information available online. By focusing on creating valuable and insightful lists, enabling dynamic and actionable features, and building a community of users, startups can potentially find success in the listmaking space.

Actionable advice:

1. Embrace routine and become a regular at your favorite places. The sense of belonging and connection it provides can greatly enhance your overall experience.
2. Consider the specific needs and preferences of users in a particular niche. By focusing on a vertical market, you can create a platform that caters to their unique requirements.
3. Build a community around your listmaking platform. Encourage users to interact and collaborate, creating a sense of belonging and fostering engagement.

In the end, being a regular and creating lists are all about finding community and connection. Whether it's in the physical world or the digital realm, the desire for stability and a sense of belonging is universal. And by understanding the unique needs and preferences of users, startups can create platforms that offer valuable and engaging experiences. So embrace routine, create meaningful lists, and find your place in the world.