The Role of Community and How It Should Be in the Curator Economy

The Role of Community and How It Should Be in the Curator Economy

In the age of information overload, the role of community has become increasingly important. People are realizing the profitable power of the word, and they are recognizing the huge market for curators as much as for content creators. Our choices are never fully personal; we are constantly looking around for clues about what is right or wrong, what is safe and what isn't, and how to be better human beings. We seek guidance from our tribes, and a good curator plays a vital role in this process.

A curator is not just someone who reposts images or regurgitates information. A good curator does the research, writes, and edits, carefully selecting and presenting content that adds value to the consumer. The elements of closeness and trust are crucial in this dynamic, which is why micro-influencers are now favored over sought-after celebrities. Micro-influencers are more connected with their community, making them more relatable. Consumers want to know who stands behind the curated content they consume and whether their specific outlook adds value to what is being shared.

The value of curated content lies not in its mere distribution, but in the judgment and expertise of the curator. It is important to know who is curating the content we consume and whether they are genuinely adding value. While the articles themselves may be freely accessible, the selection process requires diligent curation, which is hard work. Monetizing this effort is only fair. However, the challenge lies in distinguishing between true curation and sloppy work masked as curation. A knowledge-obsessed community must come together to rescue the meaning of true curation and ensure that curators' efforts are driven by a genuine desire to inform and select, rather than a lack of creativity and a hunger for money. As a community, we have the responsibility to teach one another what is worth focusing on in this oversaturated world.

Steelmanning: How to Discover the Truth by Helping Your Opponent

The concept of steelmanning reminds me of Plato's Republic and the Socratic dialogue. It is a method of discovering the truth by helping your opponent construct the best possible version of their argument. It is the opposite of strawmanning, which involves misrepresenting a position to make it easier to attack. Steelmanning requires a certain level of willpower and flexibility, particularly in emotionally charged or high-stakes discussions.

To practice steelmanning effectively, the first step is to create the best possible version of your counterpart's argument. This requires treating the contentious subject as if you were getting to know a new person or discovering a new culture. By immersing ourselves in the opposing viewpoint, we challenge our own beliefs and gain a more comprehensive understanding of the issue at hand. Writing down our thoughts also helps us structure our arguments and identify any weaknesses.

The next step is to help your counterpart steelman their own argument. This involves assisting them in making the strongest case for their beliefs, even if you do not agree with them. By doing so, you gain insight into their perspective and move closer to the truth. It is important to remember that steelmanning does not require agreement; it is an exercise in empathy and understanding.

Finally, argue on your counterpart's behalf. This means presenting their position in its most plausible and persuasive form, even if it goes against your own beliefs. By doing this, you truly immerse yourself in their worldview and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges their position faces. Motivated reasoning, our tendency to justify positions that align with our emotional desires, often hinders our ability to reach the truth. By arguing on behalf of our counterpart, we challenge our own biases and move closer to an objective perspective.

In conclusion, the role of community is crucial in the curator economy. Curators play a vital role in guiding individuals through the overwhelming amount of information available. It is important to value diligent curation and support those who are genuinely adding value to the content they curate. Additionally, practicing steelmanning can help us discover the truth by understanding and empathizing with opposing viewpoints. By creating the best possible version of our counterpart's argument, helping them steelman their own position, and arguing on their behalf, we challenge our own biases and gain a deeper understanding of complex issues.

Actionable Advice:

1. Support curators who prioritize diligent curation and genuinely add value to the content they share. Seek out and engage with micro-influencers who are connected with their community and provide relatable content.
2. Practice steelmanning in your discussions and debates. Seek to understand opposing viewpoints by creating the best possible version of your counterpart's argument and assisting them in steelmanning their own position.
3. Challenge your own biases by arguing on behalf of your counterpart. By presenting their position in its most plausible and persuasive form, you gain a deeper understanding of the challenges their viewpoint faces and move closer to an objective perspective.