2008

Photo credit: Flickr user ‘striatic’

Encouraging positivebehavior in the crowd

Young vs Established

Workshop: “Encouraging positive behavior in the crowd” 2008

• Massive change happens as sites mature

• Originally participation is mostly benevolent

• Some ‘negative’ behaviors are really people using

your system as it was designed. Take it in ways you

didn’t imagine.

Digg top users list

Workshop: “Encouraging positive behavior in the crowd” 2008

• Easy to understand: simple sum

• Fantastic incentive to participate at the beginning

• Taps into peoples’ self-interest in a positive way

• Healthy competition when benefit is low

• Creates recognizable ‘celebrity’ contributors

The pros:

Digg top users list

Workshop: “Encouraging positive behavior in the crowd” 2008

• Too basic, too static

• Frustrating to climb ladder once others established

• Taps into negative self-interest as well

• Cutthroats climb ladder at any cost

• Creates very influential users

The cons:

Digg top users list

Workshop: “Encouraging positive behavior in the crowd” 2008

Possible improvements?

Keep it positive

Workshop: “Encouraging positive behavior in the crowd” 2008

Seems simple, but it’s difficult to stay focused on it

Focus on the individual

Workshop: “Encouraging positive behavior in the crowd” 2008

Award individuals with merit points

Focus on the individual

Workshop: “Encouraging positive behavior in the crowd” 2008

Provide individual benefit

Focus on the individual

Workshop: “Encouraging positive behavior in the crowd” 2008

Think about avoiding the zeitgeist

Enable expression

Workshop: “Encouraging positive behavior in the crowd” 2008

Emotions expressed online are often misunderstood

Self-policing

Workshop: “Encouraging positive behavior in the crowd” 2008

Empower users to take care of issues themselves

Questions

?

Workshop: “Encouraging positive behavior in the crowd” 2008