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10 Reasons Why DIGG Users Should “Digg” More Consciously
By Todd | January 22, 2008
Ever since I launched We The Change, I have spent hundreds of hours in various social networking communities (Digg, Propeller, Stumble) and have become somewhat dismayed by how much non-productive, fear-inducing and senseless content gets promoted and which ultimately becomes “popular”!
I guess I was hoping to find that social networking realms were areas where people were choosing to spread more positive and uplifting news. We all know that traditional media outlets are not built for this purpose. “Fear sells”, and even though I disagree with the premise I understand it from a business perspective.
But places like Digg have been created by the people, for the people…and there is no overriding financial incentive to spreading nonsense and fear. Let me give you an example. At the time of the first draft of this article, these are the top 5 articles appearing on Digg’s homepage:
10 bizarre behaviors of parasites
My Daughter’s Life [25 PICS]
Vinyl Toys: Invasion of the Color Snatchers
Two AI Pioneers. Two Bizarre Suicides. What Really Happened?
Belly Dancer Hilarious Accident!
Not exactly the most inspiring and useful content. I understand that it is unrealistic to think ALL news stories should be meaningful and with-purpose, and my intention is not to “preach” the necessity to change your social networking voting patterns…at least not right away. But shouldn’t someone ask the question: How has it become SO normal for purpose-less content to dominate ALL the airwaves?
Not to say that there aren’t tons of people out there promoting positive articles, occurrences and movements…because there ARE and I have had the pleasure to meet hundreds of you! However, too much of the “good stuff” still seems to get buried under a whole lot of nonsense.
With that in mind here are 10 simple actions you can ingratiate to start changing your surfing habits, and transform yourself into an online contributor who is part of the solution:
1. Vote and comment on stories that you think would be genuinely helpful to other people.
2. Vote and comment on stories that have a meaningful and purposeful message; especially those which suggest positive happenings and change!
3. Start becoming aware of all the “fear-producing” stories that permeate web culture…try your best not to partake and spread these stories around.
4. Make friends with bloggers, social networkers, and readers who have really interesting and positive things to bring to the table.
5. Find a cause, or causes, that mean something to you and spend your online-time contributing to them.
6. Become aware of all gossip content you spread, and ask yourself: “what am I really accomplishing here by spreading these types of stories”.
7. Start noticing how addictive gossip and fear-producing stories can be.
8. Start noticing if boredom is a factor, and if you are simply “wasting time” when online. If so, figure out what genuinely excites you and do it!
9. Begin realizing that the internet can be an ultra-powerful tool for initiating positive change on a global scale.
10. Also realize that the internet’s “darker side” can be an extremely limiting tool in your life, and its addictive callings waste your valuable time.
You may get angry by these statements and feel offended by the topic I am bringing up. Maybe some of you will disagree with me and tell me that the internet is the impetus for much more positive change in the world then I am mentioning here, and not simply the means for negative and pointless drivel. I agree with you…to an extent.
At the time of the second draft of this article, here are the top 5 articles on Digg:
On A Scale Of 1 To 10 Eva Mendes Is A 12 - French TV Video
Top 5 Creepiest Pop Culture Foreshadowings of 9/11
We’re supplying electricity to Gaza under Qassam fire
WOW: Guitar Hero makes a billion
Oliver Stone to Direct George W. Bush Biopic
You getting my drift yet? Negative news permeates our culture. We may not be able to do anything about it concerning traditional media, but we sure can in social networking platforms. I urge you, start checking on the homepage of Digg, Propeller and the rest periodically…and remember that THESE are the stories that a majority of people see!
Can we use this great “web of interconnectedness” better? Absolutely. We just have to TRY…and the first step in trying is becoming more aware of what we spread around.
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Topics: Perspective, Marketing, Business |
It does seem negative articles do better on digg than positive ones. It’s one reason why I prefer stumbleupon at moment.
Posted by: T.Pettinger on January 22nd, 2008 at 10:36 amTodd, I couldn’t agree with you more!
Thanks for writing such a much needed article.
Posted by: ZHereford on January 22nd, 2008 at 10:50 amyes! yes! yes! New to blogging, I’ve been investigating the sites and have wondered just what I’ve drifted into! There’s a lot of drivel and negativity to sort out from the good stuff, taking time and energy.
Never have we had such an opportunity to generate positive thought. We can live to see transformation. (Many of us joined this movement in the 60’s; we’re not done yet and we still have time to see the fruit of our actions.)
I for one am going to follow your guidelines to ‘boycott’ negative energy via the choices I make. The way to make an ideal come true is to live it.
Posted by: SootheSayer on January 22nd, 2008 at 12:36 pmThanks for your In-Sights!
Todd: I enjoy your blog, and while I agree with you in principle I think you’ll find that this campaign will only lead to disapointment. Good luck in getting people to stop looking at car wrecks, fires or boobs.
Posted by: fixedgear on January 22nd, 2008 at 1:39 pmThanks Gini and Z– I am glad we are on the same page!
Posted by: Todd on January 22nd, 2008 at 2:06 pmI completely agree with you there, but I think it’s an uphill battle. People thrive on negativity, they seem to enjoy it (unless it happens to them, of course!). So kudos to you for initiating / suggesting this awesome change.
Albert
Posted by: Albert | UrbanMonk.Net on January 22nd, 2008 at 3:33 pmcheck out http://newstrust.net - it’s Digg except you don’t vote based on how “diggable” something is - you rank a story based on its journalistic integrity.
I love Digg - but in the end I’ve realized it is a game. A fun game, but a game nontheless.
NewsTrust isn’t a game - it’s about finding good content. (note: This is a plug, yes, I work for NewsTrust - but its a nonprofit - this isn’t about competing with Digg, it’s about media literacy).
Posted by: Digidave on January 22nd, 2008 at 6:29 pmYep,yep, I hear you. The popular posts I read says a little something about our society and that’s scary. I, too, often see the internet being used as a gratuitous diversion as opposed to something useful. Just remember the starfish story. If your content reaches one person, it’s worth it. That said, I will make sure to follow through on some of your wonderful suggestions. Keep shining your light, Todd!
Posted by: Terri Holley, The Health and Life Mixing Bowl on January 22nd, 2008 at 11:51 pmThe remaining Digg users should upgrade to Mixx (Mixx.com) soon before Digg’s rotting carcass starts to really smell bad.
Posted by: fatlester on January 23rd, 2008 at 2:10 amTodd, I agree with you entirely. There is a way (I’m sure you know, but I’ll tell you anyway) to check out rumours and scaremongering. It’s at http://www.snopes.com/snopes.asp. I actually wrote an article about it (http://www.webupon.com/E-mail/How-to-Check-Out-Warning-Emails.63894). I do like what I see of your website, and will work my way through the articles. By the way, what’s the starfish story?
Posted by: Dee Huff on January 23rd, 2008 at 6:21 amSocially driven content site like Digg do seem to descend towards being dominated by a lowest common denominator, at least without an explicit high moral goal like wikipedia.
For news, I recommend http://tiinker.com - it learns what you find interesting and selects articles for you from news sources and blogs around the world. You don’t need to fit into a tight social group for it to be good.
Posted by: Alex on January 23rd, 2008 at 11:28 pmAlex– it certainly is an uphill battle! But isnt it one worth fighting?
Terri– Thanks for the nice comment…it means a lot and glad the article could shed some light!
Posted by: Todd on January 24th, 2008 at 12:25 pmA little late on commenting on this one, but it is a great article that really explains many of the problems with the conventional news agencies and outfits. It is really a shame that our society is so focused on negativity. I guess that is why we are here to CHANGE things!!!
http://juiceofchampions.com/home/turn-everything-into-a-positive
www.JuiceofChampions.com
Posted by: Brad Baggett on January 26th, 2008 at 6:32 pm