For everyone widely using social media, RSS Feeds are a blessing. They have revolutionized the way we gather information and expand our knowledge and interests. We comfortably let data come to us; an attribute of utmost importance, when we imagine what vast constellations of data are inhabiting the streams of cyberspace. All we have to do, is to decide the sources, that will send us these information. So RSS Feeds are a very comfortable service, indeed.
Mainly due to my master thesis research, I have been using RSS Feeds extensively and have enjoyed its assistance. I have mentioned before, that I have been following almost 100 blogs and news sites; and I wasn’t just scanning the information coming, I really read them - and I still do. I don’t think the curse of RSS Feeds lies on the fact, that it provides too much information. I actually don’t believe there is such thing as too much information.
The Curse
No, the problem lies somewhere else. RSS Feeds are too comfortable. What does this mean?
Depending on our time and engagement, we settle down with 50, 70, 100 or more subscriptions. We read the news daily and get enough input and inspiration for our next blog posts. We also participate in most of the communities we are involved in and we have in a way succeeded in making our presence felt and even established a connection with the fellow bloggers.
But then the curse emerges, a curse we actually do not realize.
We stop worrying about other blogs, we stop worrying about new subscriptions, we have developed our nice, warm environment and we are satisfied with it.
This is bad for 3 reasons:
1. We forget the strength of weak ties
Strong ties are our close friends, while weak ties are mostly people we are acquainted with. Mark Granovetter’s research on people looking for a new job in 1973 concluded, that 27,8% of them found on from their weak ties, while 16,7 % from their strong ties. He didn’t disregard the value of strong ties, but he pointed out the importance of weak ones.
Having a steady, well established network of subscriptions constitutes a well founded, strong base, but it also makes us forget the value of weak ties.
How many of these subscriptions are actually well established connections of yours?
2. We lose the sense of a challenge
The fact that we are mostly participating in the blogs we are subscribed to, establishes our prestige in these communities. The author knows who we are and other regular commentators are also aware of our positions. But this evolves in a routine behavior: reading the same blogs, writing comments, starting an interesting discussion with (almost) always the same people.
The challenge of writing a great comment, of saying something really insightful is lost. These people know you, you don’t have to prove yourself. You are allowed to say something silly or not well researched; they will understand.
3. We disregard diversity
People have a natural tendency to start relationships with like-minded people. That is absolutely logical and understandable. But online diversity plays a fundamental role. It brings new voices into the discussion and helps in the correct aggregation of information.
When we constantly find ourselves in the same circles of discussion, we tend to associate with a biased group. That is not necessarily wrong, but it might not be that thought provoking.
Removing the curse
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the RSS curse. I’m very satisfied with the small network I have developed in the past months and definitely don’t want to lose it.
But when I remember on the first times I was blogging, things were much more intriguing. I was searching for new cool blogs, trying to decode the bloggers. I was cautious of my comments and remarks.
Now things are much more comfortable.
So I thought, that it is time to make things more interesting; to get ride of the RSS curse.
- I will start doing guest posts on blogs I like and of course am also opening my blog for guest posts. I’m already preparing an article for superbloggingtips and if you have any writings on your shelf you want to show to another public, contact me.
- I will delete all my subscriptions; by all I mean most of them. I can’t unsubscribe from my strong ties, I like their stuff and I like their feedback.
- Consequence of the above is that I will start searching for new blogs. This will expand my network and pose a challenge to me.
The RSS curse is like smoking. You get it out of your system for a month, but in the end you get hooked up again.
So I’m still thinking on new ways to use RSS in its full potential without getting stuck with its negatives.
As always I’m open for suggestions, feedback and from now on your articles.
Barry Welford responded on 12 Feb 2008 at 10:02 pm #
You have some excellent points there, Jiannis. I agree it’s important to keep your horizons wide. In addition you may wish to throw in a little randomness. Checking out websites from like-minded people in StumbleUpon could be one way.
Paul M. Banas responded on 13 Feb 2008 at 3:49 am #
I think this post hits on a really good point. By narrowcasting your focus on your interests or niche, you can quickly become smug, complacent, and xenophobic.
When I think back about Surowiecki’s four conditions of a wise crowd, Diversity of Opinion is one of the most critical.
Any suggestions to add to a marketing/advertising heavy feed list?
robojiannis responded on 13 Feb 2008 at 1:08 pm #
@ Barry
I’m constantly using Stumble upon for inspiration. It’s indeed a great resource. The problem was that I was too cozy with my feeds, so I didn’t subscribe to any new ones.
@PMB
Surowiecki’s book played a fundamental role in my master thesis research and still remains a footnote to my writings.
I’ll have to come back to you with suggestions. I deleted most of my feeds (their down to about 20) and I’m in the process of looking for new blogs.
Stephen Fletcher responded on 13 Feb 2008 at 2:23 pm #
“Delete All my subscriptions” - Wow, that’s going to be hard to do. I just don’t know if I can, it will be like cutting of a foot and then scrambling around to sew it back on!
robojiannis responded on 15 Feb 2008 at 12:46 pm #
@Stephen
indeed, but you might get your hands on a brand new cyborg foot.
And cyborg feet are cool!
David Lano responded on 21 Feb 2008 at 11:52 pm #
Robojiannis,
Another RSS curse I have been thinking about lately is this:
While using RSS, the reader is stripped from the blog/website environment and is only left with raw text, images, and video at best.
Not only is it more difficult for the reader (using RSS) to interact with the blog/website community, but the overall ‘feeling’ that comes along with visiting a particular blog/website becomes remote and unassociated with the content the reader receives via RSS.
This creates a separation between the reader, author, and others participating in the conversation. Eventually, each post (delivered via RSS) blends together with all the others, and the information becomes one huge clump of lifeless content.
Justin Kistner responded on 22 Feb 2008 at 12:32 am #
I don’t think the curse is in keeping found things found, but rather not continuing to scour. For example, I found this site on Mixx. That’s one source I use for discovering fresh feeds. Then there is Twitter where my friends turn me on to good stuff. I’m also a big proponent of Yahoo! Pipes powered dashboards that introduces me to new content.
That’s not to say that there aren’t those who rest on their feed consuming laurels that could use this blog post’s virtual kick in the pants.
robojiannis responded on 22 Feb 2008 at 7:56 pm #
@David
you’re right on this one. I have developed the habit to read only the headlines at my feed and go to the blog to read the whole post.
@Justin
My problem was, that I looked for new sources (I also use Mixx, SU, reddit and sometimes even Digg) and occasionally also wrote comments, but I just didn’t subscribe.
David responded on 21 Jun 2008 at 1:12 pm #
I think you have some interesting observations here. The main point as I see it is that you may not fully understand RSS or how to properly leverage it. If you do understand it, then you may not know which applications to use to put RSS to work for you on a level greater than you can imagine.
I find that the vast majority of online businesses and entrepreneurs haven’t a clue as to how to use RSS to achieve high placement in the SERP’s and enjoy the benefits that result from such listings.
I own my categories (#1) in Google, Yahoo!, and Windows Live Search thanks to RSS and leveraging its capabilities. And… Yahoo! alone shows over 1 BILLION results for my main category. So… it isn’t some obscure, non-competitive category.
It may be that you need professional advice… if so, you have my email and I can certainly show you the results of which I speak.