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Sphinn drowns in self-congratulation
Went Hot: January 9, 2008 - 1:27 am
Posted By: baiduyou 281 days ago
Topic Type: Discussion
Category: Sphinn Zone
To be honest though, I can happily live without these kind of stories. OK - they're nice occasional asides, but these essentially 'nothing stories' seem to have become increasingly common features on the front page.
I was interested in the *actual* stories they posted to reach these totals, and have voted for quite a few of them, but it strikes me that to comment on every statistical milestone seems a little (dare I venture) pointless? They are, after all, just numbers and we don't really need it spelling out that they are bringing a lot great stuff to the community. Maybe it's just me?
There is a definite move towards Sphinn and its members being the story rather the hub, probably fueled by this 'Social Media Rockstar' phenomenon I've been hearing so much about.
And I know it's that time of year, but I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see the award for 'Avatar with the best haircut 2007' when I refresh the page.
OK, 'Sphinn will eat itself' moan over. Feel better already ;)
32 Comments
Comments
Appreciate your opinion Baiduyou. My perspective is a little different ... Sphinn is a community. We're here for one another! We support one another, listen to one another, help one another, and yes, praise one other. It seems reasonable to me that that's what you do with friends ... honor them with praise and cudos when they reach a milestone.
Am I the only one who feels this way?
Every online social community, be it a news site/network or forum practices self-referential commentary. This is especially the case when it grows and the early adopters become more and more close knit.
It's not pointless. Most communities celebrate their members and this is the result of a community sharing opinions, feelings and knowledge over a period of time. I also don't think these stories are 'increasingly common features' on the frontpage as well. The lack of submission volume just makes it seem ubitiquitous.
I could have done without the recognition and I certaintly didn't ask for it. But it was nice to know that people do see that you are contributing to the community in some way and that they appreciate it.
When a desphinning function arrives (is it here already?), you can subtract sphinns from these sort of self-congratulatory stories you so dislike.
I got a haircut last week. Do I win that award?
Maki, I have to stress that I wasn't being sarcastic in the other thread in any way - I am thankful for all your Sphinns - sorry if you thought I was taking the piss - it's the last thing I would do. In the context of the post I can see how that's the way it probably sounded.
The community spirit of Sphinn is one the factors that makes it such a worthwhile place to be, my point was not that we shouldn't be congratulating and praising each other, but that there is such a thing as over-doing it.
It's good to discuss, debate and occasionally rant, and Sphinn is a great platform to do it.
And yes, you do win that award, Tamar, though I regret to inform you there is no associated schwag ;)
@Tamar - Ooohh, I don't know, Tamar. We might have to battle for that one. I cut 12 inches off my hair on Thursday and I donated to Locks of Love. ;-)
@ Baiduyou ... there's alot of merit to raising perceived issues ... so long as we all handle disagreements like grown-ups and talk them out without casting accusations like we've all done here.
I grew my hair.... does that count?
I think the well-earned congratulatory topics are just fine. However if the Ho-Hum button was operative, baiduyou, you could have clicked on that without appearing to be a party-pooper. :)
I'm guilty of being part of this because I did the "Congrats Maki on 100 front page Sphinns" post a couple months back. I wasn't sure it was the right thing to do then, and if I encouraged others to do more of it, then my bad ... because while I agree in part with what the commenters are saying, I also agree that too much of it is a bad thing on the whole.
And I also cut my hair over the weekend, FWIW. :-)
Baiduyou
I removed the sarcasm bit from my original comment because I wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt. Thanks for clarifying.
And my point is: We aren't over-doing it.
The 'Sphinn Zone' is a category created specifically for issues concerning Sphinn and it is relevant to place announcements like this in this category. Given that I've only seen two congratulatory stories in the past week... I'm not sure why you think we are doing it too much.
Take me and Marty out of the equation and just think about it. Imagine that any other member achieves 100 sphinn frontpages. This is a milestone that is not easily achievable without significant time (many, many hours) invested on this very website and community.
Any Sphinn member who subtracts time from his personal and professional life in order to get 100 Sphinn frontpages (like Marty)... deserves to be recognized for his or her efforts.
The main reason why I am responding in detail to this thread is that I don't want people to be afraid of celebrating other members. After this thread, I'm not sure if people even want to highlight the achievements of fellow sphinners, even though they are certainly worthy of mention. People might be wary of being called out like this.
That's the power of a wet blanket.
@BaiduYou: I appreciate your view to an extent. I'm a pessimist. However, realize awards that carry the kind of weight the recent ones did. Beyond that, it was predictable. Why do you think SearchEngineJournal released each winner in individual posts? That said, these bloggers DO deserve individual credit for their achievments.
As for the Congrats on ### Submissions Gone Hot! and such posts, just chill for a bit. Think of it like relationships. With a Boy/Girlfriend, you celebrate the 1 month anniversary, yes? Some also do 2 or 3 month anniversaries(to a smaller extend), but how many people celebrate 13/14 month? As time goes on, just as with a relationship, these will become less common.
@DoshDosh: I'm with you 100%. No one should be afraid to submit such things.
My avatar's haircut rules. I wish I could get my real hair to look like that.
I hate to interrupt this love fest, but LAST time I Sphunn a story ABOUT a Sphinn story I was seriously spanked by the moderator. I was publicly reprimanded by moderator Matt for not placing my comments in the original thread referred to. Evil Green Moneky weighed in regarding the matter another time.
@ Tamar, what the hell are you talking about?
@ Sphinn Moderator: from evilgreenmonkey 70 days ago # Votes: 2"Although I appreciate the humour behind this post, I'd like to discorage the creation of Sphinn stories about Sphinn stories. Any comments or discussions should stay on the original story's page. Lecture over ;o)"
@ Matt:
http://sphinn.com/story/16199
from MattMcGee 40 days ago # Votes: 2
"Tamar may be the "moral conscience," but I'm gonna speak my mind.
With my Sphinn user's hat on:
If memory serves, this is the second time you've taken a comment from another submission and turned it into a new post. You were asked politely not to do it again, and you agreed. Have you forgotten?
With my Sphinn moderator hat on: This submission should probably be discarded, but I'll ask the mod team before doing anything".
PS:
@ EVERY social community drowns in self-congratulations. That's an important (though small) part of what "social" means. If you want a "resource-only" go to a library an d read the magazines. They have some real nice SEM ones and require no celebration
@Marty: If you read the entire thread thoroughly, perhaps the answer to your question (directed to me) would resonate.
Marty, the issue with your past post was over Sphinning a comment on another Sphinn post into a new discussion, rather than continuing that discussion in the actual post. There was no issue -- and remains no issue -- with having posts about Sphinn itself. That's why we have the Sphinn Zone.
This post isn't about any particular existing story already on Sphinn but the issue in general if we congratulate members too much. I appreciate the concern, but have to disagree with this:
"There is a definite move towards Sphinn and its members being the story rather the hub."
I think we're talking a sprinkling of these types of stories, congratulating members, and a fairly rare happening to have two come up in so short of time.
In general, even that sprinkling will disappear, as hitting 100 or 1000 or whatever will no longer be such the benchmark. But I don't think it hurts for the community to talk about itself to some degree along with stories.
As for the Ho-Hum button, we've posted before that Desphinn is coming -- and very soon, certainly by the end of this month.
Thanks Danny...now THAT'S moderation :)
Funny to see this upcoming, and a thread on "how to flatter" already on the front page see http://sphinn.com/story/21710#c25286. I sphunn this one and not the other.
I'm all for a Sphinn zone but perhaps Sphinn Zone stories should not make the front page until they have more than the typically required level of Sphinns? Or maybe only one at a time?
I just want the ho-hum button. Desphinn or "bury" is too strong for the reaction I feel about some Sphinn pieces. I think "ho-hum" is perfect for content that doesn't provide me with much stimulation, insight or value. If it gets 25 votes and 15 ho-hums, it won't make the home page.
Keep it secret, so that people won't be stigmatized for speaking their mind in a small community.
I'm glad to see people questioning what makes the home page. Sphinn rules (or so I've been telling people) because it is bursting with marketing articles that provide real value. It's not a "waste of time" in my busy day - it's time well spent. As long as that stays true, I'll be very grateful for this place.
@Brett - We won't call it "Bury" - it will be "DeSphinn" or maybe deSphinn or d'Sphinn ;-) but it will not be anonymous. Just as you can see "Who Sphunn This?" you'll be able to see "Who De-Sphunn This?" - and we'll require a comment by the de-sphinner.
I intend on getting my hair cut this weekend. I'll be sure to update the sphinn community. Ho-hum.
The DeSphinn still makes me nervous. A lot of people here have different values and interests, and some (like myself) are at high risk to get nailed down by those who have differing opinions, regardless of article quality, relevance, or overall interest.
Look forward to seeing that Danny, though perhaps calling it the ho-hum would be more appropriate, as Barry suggested.
I think that Maki makes some very valid points about the nature of social sites, but I have to agree with the initial comment that, for a while now, Sphinn has felt a bit self-referential - almost as if it existed in a gold-fish bowl.
What's potentially interesting here is the suggestion that very few such stories actually have made the front page; I guess the issue then is why do some of feel that it's more than this? Perception eh, it's a funny old thing!
@ baiduyou - Do my eyes deceive me or has your avatar turned into Victor Meldrew? I take it it's just for the purposes of this discussion. Appreciate the humour. :-)
We've talked about Desphinn here in the past, so we're going forward with it based on those past discussions. The idea of letting people take Sphinns away from stories they disagree with, combined with a requirement to publicly comment in some way, seemed to have general agreement. If it doesn't work or have problems, we'll adjust accordingly. As for a Ho-Hum, let's see how Desphinn goes first :)
Ciaran, the reason people feel things that might not actually be the case is that you get more sensitive to some things. If you see a story about Sphinn once per day on the home page -- and you don't like those types of stories -- it's easy to feel that the home page is dominated by them, even if they aren't.
You are, of course, right. It's definitely a question of perception; a few milestones and several awards happening to coincide.
Still not sure about your ho-hum button Senor Welford... maybe a bit like deSphinn Light ;)
I hope that no-one would be put off posting something because I, or anyone else, said they could probably live without it. I'm sure that's not going to be the case though - disagreement, reasoned argument and varied tastes are also important aspects of any community. People have disagreed with me, but no-one has slated me for expressing my opinion, which is the way it should be.
"It's not you, it's me."
I guess at heart I'm just not really an awards kind of guy - I'll congratulate someone on a good post and appreciate their input, but to throw a party every time someone makes 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 Sphinns can seem unnecessary to me, like repeating yourself. Maybe it's because I'm generally reserved. I like films but have no interest in the Oscars.
@Swags - I have Victor Meldrew'd myself, thanks for noticing. It's probably temporary, but you never know. I don't know if he ever made it across the Atlantic or not, so the reference might be lost in translation. ;)
"Your headlines make me puke" or "Top 10 reasons why sensationalist headlines are like walking in dogshit"
I agree with the sentiment of the orginai poster. That and all the over the top formulated and sensationalist headlines are enough to make me sick. Every single headline, day after day, they're all 'designed' to be eye catching. It's like too much candy at once.
Still, what's really important is that the crew has pretty much cleaned up all the self promo crap. That was a dealbreaker. This other stuff, not much to be done other than bitch and moan about (which you'll notice, is what I'm doing :) ). There's still enough slightlyshadeyseo posts in the mix to keep me coming back.
I'm with baiduyou on this. Writing a high quality post is work, it is a contribution. Having it sphunn is a recognition. Going hot is the award.
So posts like "xxx now has x hundred hot Sphinns" are like celebrating a certain number of awards: a bit perverse, and definitely irrelevant. ("Lifetime achievement award for having received 25 Grammys", wouldn't that be a little silly?)
I'm definitely w/ baiduyou on this one. Well said.
I had complained (a lot I'll admit) about Sphinning about Sphinn, but this was before the idea of DeSphinning was brought up. For the past few months, I've been content to wait for this feature. It'll definitely give the community and the individual user an opportunity to influence the community even more than before.
Basically, let's just wait for DeSphinn. I think it's going to solve a lot of these "content" issues.
Recognizing the all-stars of a social community must be a priority. They're the individuals who make the the greatest contribution -- and work harder and smarter than anyone else.
Celebrate and congratulate the people who excel.
It's the wisdom of the crowd at its finest.