10.4k sats \ 3 replies \ @Scoresby 2 Apr \ parent \ on: Opinionated MSM Community Feedback Summary meta
My main evidence is introspective, so perhaps not that useful.
MSM definitely changed how I interact on SN in ways I think were toxic.
Pre-MSM
- posted things when I had a cool idea
- checked SN frequently, but not always every day
- zapped things I thought would do well or that caught my personal attention
- commented when I couldn't help myself (conversation was so interesting I just had to jump in)
- kept my total stacked hidden on my profile
- didn't really pay attention to how much other stackers stacked
During MSM
- posted every day, sometimes even when I had to stretch for content (even resorted to recycling some old content)
- checked SN at an unhealthy frequency
- zapped the top 10 or so "all-star" stackers whenever they posted without waiting to read their posts, somewhat often I never got around to reading them
- compelled myself to drop a comment on any thread a thought would be popular even if I didn't have anything that fruitful to say.
- felt grumpy/suspicious about movements on the leaderboard - especially about the hidden stackers do they really deserve that spot? I bet they are gaming it somehow.
All in all, I didn't like how my use of SN was changed by the competition. Maybe I should have stronger principles or more self control or something, but I don't.
I think I will return to my old way of using/enjoying SN, but it's gonna take a little rewiring of my brain.
I totally agree with @grayruby that it could be a great once a year kind of thing.
As I've said before though, SN is one of my favorite places on the internet with and without MSM. So don't take the above as criticism. I wrote it more as documentation of what was going on inside the mind of one stacker.
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I hope I didn't make it sound too bad. It's funny how competition changes behavior. It definitely brings out a less pleasant side of me.
(To be fair, most of my family won't play board games with me because I believe in using the whole field of weapons at my disposal to achieve victory - including those that are not traditionally considered "a part of the game")