Designing a Better Reading Experience with Matter: Incorporating Media Richness Theory

Designing a Better Reading Experience with Matter: Incorporating Media Richness Theory

Introduction:
In today's digital age, reading online has become a multi-faceted activity that encompasses deciding what to read, the act of reading itself, and what individuals do with the knowledge they gain. However, the first generation of read-it-later apps lacked the intelligence to assist users with prioritization, resurfacing, or decay. Recognizing the importance of focusing on unchanging needs, we founded Matter, a platform that aims to enhance the reading experience. In this article, we will explore how Matter incorporates the principles of media richness theory to design a more effective and engaging reading platform.

Trust and the Role of Writers:
Trust plays a crucial role in determining what content individuals choose to read. At Matter, we made the deliberate decision to elevate writers as first-class citizens within our system. By prioritizing good curation and highlighting the work of talented but often overlooked writers, we aim to provide a better reading experience. This approach aligns with the idea that people trust people when it comes to selecting what to read.

Balancing New and Evergreen Content:
While our information consumption is heavily biased towards what's new, it is important to acknowledge that the majority of the best content ever created was not written in the past week. Matter seeks to address this bias by serving as a counterweight, delivering relevant and manageable content that includes both new and evergreen pieces. By doing so, we aim to provide a more comprehensive and meaningful reading experience.

Enhancing the Reading Medium:
Matter recognizes that the medium used for reading plays a significant role in the overall experience. Email inboxes, for example, are not optimized for reading, as most individuals want to quickly get through their messages. To address this, Matter incorporates highly reliable parsing techniques, including natural language processing (NLP) and computer vision, to enhance the user experience. Additionally, the platform acknowledges the rising importance of audio consumption and offers features such as "audio highlights" to cater to this trend.

Incorporating Media Richness Theory:
Media richness theory (MRT) provides a framework for evaluating the effectiveness of communication media based on their ability to reproduce information and facilitate understanding. Matter applies the principles of MRT to create a richer reading experience by considering the following factors:

1. Ability to handle multiple information cues simultaneously: Rich media, such as video or audio, allow for the inclusion of nonverbal cues, body language, and gestures, promoting a closer relationship between the reader and the content.

2. Ability to facilitate rapid feedback: Interactive features, like highlighting or annotating, provide readers with the opportunity to engage with the content in real-time, offering immediate feedback and enhancing the overall reading experience.

3. Ability to establish a personal focus: By incorporating features like minimaps and easy navigation, Matter enables readers to personalize their reading experience, focusing on specific sections or topics of interest.

Conclusion:
Designing a better reading experience with Matter involves a careful consideration of media richness theory and the unique needs of readers. By prioritizing trust, balancing new and evergreen content, enhancing the reading medium, and incorporating MRT principles, Matter aims to increase the return on investment for readers. Through these efforts, we strive to help individuals gain more insight, knowledge, and excitement from their reading endeavors.

Actionable Advice:

1. Prioritize curation and trust: Seek out platforms that prioritize good curation and elevate writers to ensure a more trustworthy reading experience.

2. Embrace diverse content: Expand your reading habits beyond just new content. Explore evergreen pieces and obscure blogs to discover hidden gems that provide valuable insights.

3. Engage with the medium: Take advantage of interactive features offered by reading platforms, such as highlighting, annotating, and personalizing your reading experience. This active engagement can enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the content.

In conclusion, designing a better reading experience requires a holistic approach that considers the needs and preferences of readers. By incorporating media richness theory and focusing on trust, content diversity, and reader engagement, platforms like Matter aim to revolutionize the way we consume information and gain knowledge in the digital age.