The Problem
I have been here a while, and have grown very fond of SN. Whether it’s logical or not, I am very invested in seeing it grow and prosper. I have written and read many posts like this in the past, asking for this or that innovation or improvement. Some eventually are implemented. Some aren’t. Some have been promised, but we’re still waiting.
SN was sidetracked as a result of potential legal problems which forced a change to non-custodial wallets. It took a lot of work. Many stackers left. Others are still complaining. There’s no doubt it created friction which has hampered growth of the site. In my opinion, non-custodial wallets are a good thing in the long run.
Meanwhile, prominent bitcoiners have shunned or openly attacked SN for whatever reason. There’s not much that can be done about that.
Territories were a big innovation. They seemed so promising. They were rolled out a few months before the Samourai bullshit. They were losing propositions from day one. I don’t blame @k00b and company for that. The timing was unfortunate, and they’ve done a hell of a job making a huge transition.
As a founder of four territories, I know the frustration. Lately, though, I’m feeling that I am also responsible for the slow growth of my territories. Rather than wait around for some magic innovation that makes them profitable, maybe I should take a different approach. I will leave the marketing of SN to the founders, and spread the word in a more decentralized way.
The @grayruby Way
If you have been around for a while, you might remember that @grayruby started Stacker Sports before territories even existed. He didn’t wait around or ask permission. He started posting his sports posts right in the meta territory, if I recall. When territories became available, he hit the ground running. He had a plan and a vision, which paid off. I’m pretty sure he’s just getting started. Now of course we all can’t be him. He’s a smart, motivated guy with good ideas and plenty of motivation. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t use him as a model.
@2grayruby is generous, both by zapping posts in his territory and creating an environment where sports fans can succeed on their own. It’s good business, sure, but it also spreads sats around and will eventually teach sports fans about bitcoin. He will prosper, his best territory posters will prosper, Stacker News will eventually prosper, and bitcoin adoption will grow.
Territories represent specific interests. I have been one of those clamoring for sub territories, but considering the size of SN right now, they don’t make sense. Rather, I think founders should encourage posters to claim their own piece of existing territories. Here’s where individual interests and passions can come into play.
My Harebrained Idea
I have thought about this a lot, because I have a few quirky interests and hobbies that I would like to see regularly discussed on Stacker News- astronomy, ancient roman coin collecting, african cichlid keeping. Reading this you may think I’m a quirky guy, but let me tell you, there are entire website forums that are filled with people talking about this stuff.
I have been a huge fan of the Grateful Dead for over 40 years. They’re not for everyone, but there are a certain group of aging hippies (looking in the mirror) who are obsessed. Rather than wishing for a ~deadhead sub territory of ~music, if I had more time I would just start writing a regular little Grateful Dead post in the music territory. It won’t grab much attention (believe me, I know), but maybe it will attract one or two stackers. Then, I would try to craft a really good, insightful post about a live performance, take my time, do my homework, then post the SN link over here:
Someone will certainly click the link.
Interested deadheads will now be on stacker news. Once they arrive, you can gradually explain the idea of earning sats. Of course you can post to nostr and twitter too, but I like the idea of targeted audiences.
It’s kind of a decentralized way to grow your influence , earn sats, grow the territory, grow Stacker News, and grow bitcoin adoption. Earning sats for bullshitting about the Grateful Dead will be a dream come true for some people.
I hope some stackers take me up on this idea in my territories. I promise to support you with sats, replies, and visibility when practical through pinned posts.
I can envision stackers starting acoustic blues guitar blogs, hip hop blogs, a Beatles blog, etc. For my Books And Articles territory, I can see poetry blogs, science fiction blogs, comic book blogs, children's books blogs, etc. Some will catch on. Some won’t. It seems worthwhile to give it a shot, though. The internet is filled with communities with sometimes ridiculously niche interests. Maybe we can bring some here. If successful, it will grow bitcoin adoption.