The Value of Attention | Hacker News Reader

The Value of Attention

dilbert.com

58 pointscwan12 comments

The value of having a guest editorial in the NYT goes far beyond whatever payment one might receive. Just ask the Diaspora quartet. (I realize they didn't have an editorial. Work with me. ;-) )

That component is so large, I'm not sure I can separate it enough to address the spirit of SA's question.

There's a certain component of esteem that goes along with most of our actions, but our desire to attain it can almost always be linked to a promise of tangible gain.

I think Google with YouTube has already attempted to monetize the "pay attention to me" phenomenon. Then there's Wordpress and a host of other blogging services. However, I have to agree, pay-attention-to-me-as-a-service is a good business model if you do it right.

Karma system for submissions and comments is already using it to some extent.

ruchi -- ok ok ruchi I'll upvote you. I assure you ruchi that these desperate pleas for us to notice you and your cool handle, ruchi, haven't gone unnoticed.

I had never thought of this, but it clarifies why so many people on the internet (and sadly some friends irl) seem not to be trolling but just making relatively ludicrous statements. Ever since reading this I've been analyzing everything everyone in the office is saying and the conversations they've started. It's like a weird Heisenberg conversational thing.

Great article, one of the best writing voices i've ever come across i have to say.

Its possible i may have mis-understood the article, but arent Facebook and Twitter in the best position to monetize this?

I mean "status updates" are exactly that, no? A cry for attention?

Obviously he's talking about paying someone to give you that attention, but would Facebook not be in a very good position to work out who wants it the most, in what way, and how much (roughly) they are willing to pay?

Just a theory

In a similar (but perhaps unrelated) vein, his hypothetical about amateurs freely volunteering their words to the New York Times is precisely what has been happening in the photography world for quite a few years, with a resulting range of pricing: Flickr, vs. stock photography sites, vs. traditional publishers like Getty.

Very much enjoyed this. Perhaps this adds even more weight to Dale Carnegie's advice about listening to people. I have some friends who barely know anything about me but are fond of me just because I let them speak as much as they like.

Some brilliant dating sites monetize by creating an attention economy.

Fubar.com comes to mind. We tried to emulate some of this for Friends for Sale.

Isn't he just talking about advertising?

No, he's talking about people's desire to receive attention. Advertising puts a price on getting attention from others but it generally does so to try to sell stuff not just as a self-esteem boost.

I'm to poor to pay attention...

'Someday an entrepreneur will make a fortune by figuring out how to monetize personal attention in the most efficient way.'

pimps

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