Re:How vanity metrics increase my productivity
by petercooper on Tuesday May 01, 2012 @01:04PM
(#3915333)
It's definitely different strokes for different folks on this one, but as long as the goal is noble, I think it's fine for people who get off on metrics to use them. Not all people are motivated that way.. (luckily!)
Years ago, I had a goal of getting on the now-hidden /leaders page on HN so worked hard at writing good comments, submitting good links, etc, every single day and I made it. Did I add value to the site? Yes. Did the borderline-useless ego boost keep me contributing? Sure.
I contribute a lot less now that /leaders has been hidden and since getting above top 20 is crazy hard, but HN is now so busy plenty of people are picking up the slack, whereas early on, I have to wonder if the leaders page did help artificially boost engagement.
Years ago, I had a goal of getting on the now-hidden /leaders page on HN so worked hard at writing good comments, submitting good links, etc, every single day and I made it. Did I add value to the site? Yes. Did the borderline-useless ego boost keep me contributing? Sure.
I contribute a lot less now that /leaders has been hidden and since getting above top 20 is crazy hard, but HN is now so busy plenty of people are picking up the slack, whereas early on, I have to wonder if the leaders page did help artificially boost engagement.