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 digital content consumption, the role of community has become increasingly important. As people recognize the profitable power of the word, they are also realizing that there is a huge market for curators. Just as there are content creators, there are individuals who excel at curating and filtering information for others. But what exactly does it mean to be a good curator?

A good curator goes beyond simply reposting images or regurgitating information. They do the research, write, and edit to provide their community with valuable and reliable content. The elements of closeness and trust play a significant role in curating. This is why micro-influencers are being favored over sought-after celebrities. Micro-influencers are more connected with their community, making them more relatable. When consuming curated content, it is important to know who stands behind it and whether their specific outlook adds value to what is being consumed.

The value of curated content lies not in its mere distribution, but in the judgment and expertise of the curator. Diligent curation is hard work, and it is only fair to monetize it. However, there is a problem with the current state of curation. Many individuals have been monetizing sloppy work and calling it curation. This undermines the true meaning and value of curation. It is up to a knowledge-obsessed community to rescue the essence of true curation, ensuring 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. By supporting and engaging with curators who provide valuable content, we can create a culture of high-quality curation. This will not only benefit the curators themselves but also the consumers who rely on curated content for reliable and insightful information.

Status as a Service (StaaS) — Remains of the Day

Social media platforms have become more than just tools for communication. They have evolved into status games, where individuals compete for social capital. The accumulation of social capital assets and the nature of status games are crucial components of social networks.

One axis of social networks is the utility axis, where platforms compete based on their functionality and features. The other axis is the social capital axis, where platforms compete based on the accumulation of social capital. These platforms, which compete on the social capital axis, are often more mysterious than pure utilities. They tap into the innate desire for status and recognition.

Successful social networks have a clear proof of work hurdle, which differentiates them from other platforms. They bring a massive supply of exogenous pre-existing social capital from another status game, such as the fame game. This transfer of social capital across platforms allows certain individuals to quickly gain a following on new networks.

However, as more people join a social network, the competition for attention and social capital becomes more intense. Unless someone brings incredible exogenous social capital, the challenge of gaining attention and status on a network increases. Value is tied to scarcity, and if everyone can achieve a certain type of status, it loses its value.

To succeed in the market, social networks must offer their own unique form of status token, earned through distinctive proof of work. This sets them apart from other platforms and creates a new status ladder game. Copying and throttling the proof of work of an incumbent platform is an effective strategy for challengers.

One challenge for social networks is to balance the accumulation of social capital with the desire for efficiency. Putting a limit on how much social capital users can earn can be a challenging business model. However, young people, who are typically social capital poor, are often the early adopters and drivers of new Status as a Service businesses.

While social networks may start as utilities, they evolve into platforms where users seek to accumulate social capital. The number of lurkers on a platform often exceeds the number of active participants. People are wired to pursue social capital, and overlooking this fundamental aspect of human nature has led to the rise and fall of social network giants.

Actionable advice:

1. Support and engage with curators who provide valuable content to create a culture of high-quality curation.
2. Seek out platforms that offer unique forms of status token, earned through distinctive proof of work, to ensure your social capital is not diluted.
3. Recognize the innate desire for social capital and understand its role in social networks to navigate the landscape effectively.

In conclusion, the role of community in the curator economy is crucial. As consumers, we must support and engage with curators who provide valuable content. Simultaneously, we must understand the dynamics of social networks and the pursuit of social capital. By doing so, we can navigate the evolving landscape of the digital world and ensure the continued value of curated content.