PPPPlatform Prejudices🚨 + 5 Tips for "Empathic Responsibility" (Four Ps #229)
All about the Rs: Rage, Responsibility, Reclamation & The Rematch.
I'll start with the apology.
There’s going to be some heightened emotion in this post. There are four topics here that get me fired up in very different ways.
But that’s not why I’m apologizing. Some of these posts are lengthier than usual, too. The Four P’s has gone from “scalar” to “vector” this week. And in case you don’t remember your high school science lessons, scalars and vectors are two kinds of quantities. Scalars are quantities that only have magnitude (or size), while vectors have both magnitude and direction. We’re about to go hard, fast, and straight ahead:
The Personal: Digital Platforms Like Roblox Are Failing Our Kids
The Practical: 5 Ways to Embrace “Empathetic Responsibility”
The Professional: Reclaiming Consumers via Incentivized Communities
The Political: “Back to the Future:” Gen Z's and the 2024 Election Rematch
THE PERSONAL: Who Will Speak for the Children?
As a marketer, creator, innovator, and technology evangelist, nothing used to excite me more than discovering and experimenting with new tools, devices, or platforms that connect communities. I was an early user of social platforms ranging from Friendster and Facebook to Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest... even Snap, Peach, Meerkat, and Yo.
Interestingly, I am now only active on one of these platforms. With age and experience, my eagerness to be the first on new platforms has diminished. After having kids, maintaining a work/life balance and being present for them took priority, making it challenging to keep up. Additionally, I've grown concerned about the unchecked, unregulated nature of emerging technologies and their detrimental impact on social progress, especially on younger audiences. Sure, these platforms are amplifiers of both good and bad, but the impact and damage they're having on younger audiences is becoming increasingly unbearable.
I've made no secret about my past challenges with companies like ByteDance, Roblox and Epic Games on a personal level with respect to keeping kids safe. Traumatic incidents a few years ago highlighted the dangers of children's unrestricted access to digital platforms. Ever since, my wife and I have implemented strict controls:
We approve all friend requests.
We've blocked all search, communication, and app download features on their devices.
We've disabled all chat functions and stranger interactions in Fortnite and Roblox.
Instituted a monitoring tool that flags harmful content in text messages or group chats.
Buzzkill, maybe? Sorry, but no. In a recent experiment, I temporarily removed these restrictions. Within 15 minutes on Roblox, we encountered a swastika and repeated attempts to bypass profanity filters. We saw "8itch 8itch 8itch" being repeatedly stated. Friends have reported similar experiences involving hate symbols and offensive language.
Which is why the appearance of swastikas in my son's middle school bathroom, now a recurring issue, is not surprising. The latest incident (is this the fifth or sixth one this year)? coincided with an assembly addressing the harm caused by such symbols. (Fortunately, most of the culprits were identified.)
Asking whether these incidents are malicious is the wrong question. Asking why they are happening is where we need to focus.
Platforms like Roblox, TikTok, and Fortnite have grown significantly (though TikTok may have plateaued), partly due to brand and corporate investments. While I want to allow for the most generous interpretation, the brands now investing in building presences are either passively tacit in allowing Roblox to profit off of destructive behavior, or willfully ignoring the damage that it's doing.
While defenders argue that such issues are not unique to these platforms, the difference lies in their original target audience—children. As the user base ages, there's a concerning lack of attention to protecting young users, from toddlers to teens. I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that the future of humanity and society are at stake here.
THE PRACTICAL: 5 Ways to Embrace Empathetic Responsibility
Learning to navigate relationships, whether personal or professional, is quite literally the most important skill a human being can master throughout his or her life. I'm halfway through this journey (more so, if you look at average life expectancy), and I still feel like I've barely scratched the surface.
Each relationship has its own personality, and no two will ever be the same. Who we are, how we think, what we feel, why we act, and "where we go from here" are constantly and uniquely shifting, whether with a partner, a boss, a co-worker, your parents or kids, even your doorman or regular pizza delivery guy.
It's hard. But I've spent pockets of thoughtful time here and there over the years (which there is less of than ever) organizing the way I approach new and long-time relationships into five key strategies under an umbrella mindset called "empathetic responsibility." I don't think this term exists anywhere, at least that I've seen, but it's pretty useful. And the following is a summary of years of refining a page in Evernote that I apparently created in 2008(!). But at long last, it's time to share V1.
These practices are not just about effective communication, but also about fostering a deeper understanding and connection. Especially with that pizza delivery guy.
Ready? Ready.
Cultivate Curiosity and Listening: Combine curiosity with the art of listening. Instead of reacting with irritation in challenging situations, respond with curiosity. I'm reminded constantly by others to ask "why?" It's my biggest "recenter" focal point. And it helps in understanding perspectives and emotions. Deep listening goes beyond just hearing words; it's about truly comprehending and empathizing with the other person's point of view.
FWIW, having a podcast has made me even better at this. You can do all the prep and research you want when talking with a guest. But the magic happens when you go outside the lines and off-script because of something they said, which sparks a new idea and plants a new, unexpected question in my brain. Unexpected questions have become one of my greatest joys, but it takes someone else to spark it. It's the ultimate surrender of control.
Rewrite Limiting Narratives: Ooh, that sounds smart, doesn't it? I can't remember when I came up with this one, but it's about identifying and changing the stories you tell yourself. These narratives shape your perception and reactions. I use writing and introspection to challenge these stories, but it fosters a mindset that embraces positive, empowering beliefs. This shift can transform your interactions and self-perception.
The first time I remember "rewriting a narrative" was when my childhood dog died. Sad. I still think about it. But at the encouragement of my middle school English teacher, I wrote a story about lifetimes of love. It changed the way I actually think about death now. Crazy. I was 13.
Embrace and Bridge Gaps: Recognize and mind the gaps between expectations and reality. Use tools like open dialogues with family and friends, or feedback reviews at work, to understand these differences. This strategy is about acknowledging disparities and working collaboratively towards bridging them, fostering a culture of transparency and understanding.
Way back when, I remember sitting in the office of my company's HR lead at the time, talking about patience (or my lack thereof). I was actually proud of my impatience, seeing it as a strength. She saw it as a huge flaw, one that would advance my career in the short term but hinder my growth long term. Because my direct manager at the time was just as impatient, and I thought emulating that impatience would help me get ahead. This HR lead worked with empathetic responsibility to ensure that I was seeing the big picture.
Develop and Share a Clear Vision: A clear, shared vision is pivotal. It should resonate with your core values and guide your decisions. In a team or relationship, work together to craft a vision that inspires and aligns with collective goals. This shared purpose strengthens bonds and provides a common direction. This doesn't mean agreeing on everything, but knowing that the outcome is more important than the output.
A few years ago, my agency was acquired by a larger corporation. It was late in the integration process when we discovered their leadership rejected traditional line management in favor of a group-based, peer-accountability model. I found this approach problematic, yet lacked a platform to oppose it. It wasn't what I'd signed up for, and the company leadership failed miserably at empathetic responsibility, a rigidity that demotivated many other creative thinkers besides myself. I soon left, and within a year, the broader holding company quickly lost significant value. Shared vision matters.
Transform Challenges into Opportunities: View breakdowns and challenges as catalysts for growth. Adopt a mindset that sees difficulties as chances to enhance trust, alignment, and effectiveness. Address issues head-on with optimism and a focus on solutions, turning obstacles into stepping stones for development.
Oof, do I have so many lessons here, this could fill a book. Hmmm. Maybe I should write a book. No wait, I've already tried the long-writing game and I am too impatient. Actually, wait. Maybe I should turn those challenges into opportunities...
Ultimately, incorporating these paradigms for life into my daily flow changed my life. And integrating them into yours can significantly enhance the quality of your relationships. They encourage an empathetic, understanding, and proactive approach, ensuring that every connection you make is meaningful and grounded in mutual respect and shared growth.
THE PROMOTION: CHANGE GAMING WITH IN-GAME BETS
The team at Crowd Sports is ready for you to come and play. While its innovate, patented in-game betting technology is still in open beta testing, the past few weeks of playing and experimenting with the platform during playoff games has been incredibly fun.
Now with the Big Game just a little more than a week away, sign up and get ready to change the way you watch and enjoy sports, starting with your Super Bowl party:
Pick the outcome of and & every National Football League (NFL) play, betting with “house money" for now.
🔗 Join the community
📺 Turn on your TV.
📱 Play along with your device.
🗣️ Tell friends, family & your sports #betting friends.
THE PROFESSIONAL: Reclaiming Loyalty Through Incentivized Community Engagement
In these aforementioned digital channels and on platforms, conversations and discourse are increasingly marred by trolls and negativity. But it wasn't always this way. 15 years ago, before brands jumped onto Facebook and started calling their followers a 'community,' many marketers were engaged with fans, consumers, and advocates in private communities. I was a manager of several of these for brands, from the NBA to enterprise rental car. The conversations weren't controlled, but they were better curated.
We're starting to come full circle again, as the allure of private online communities is growing stronger. Christie Horsman's recent article in Entrepreneur Magazine warmed my heart just a little as she shed light on this emerging trend, highlighting why creators and businesses are pivoting back towards these exclusive spaces yet again.
Public forums, once hubs of engagement, are now battlegrounds of abuse and distress. With 40% of Americans experiencing online harassment, it's no surprise that brands and creators are seeking alternatives. Private communities offer a sanctuary. In these private communities, genuine connections flourish, unmarred by the chaos of public spaces. Some benefits include:
Authentic Engagement: In these communities, interactions are more personal, fostering deeper connections.
Safety and Control: Creators and brands can moderate these spaces, ensuring a respectful and supportive environment.
Enhanced Learning and Growth: These communities often focus on personal and professional development, led by the talent or relevant experts.
For brands, athletes, entertainers, and creators, owned-and-operated channels and communities aren't just feel-good spaces; they're strategic assets.
Brand Loyalty and Value: These communities deepen loyalty, as members feel a part of something exclusive and valuable.
Feedback and Innovation: Brands gain direct insights from their most engaged customers, driving innovation and improvement.
Monetization Opportunities: While offering refuge from the internet's darker side, these communities also present new revenue streams.
Platforms like Kazm can play a crucial role in incentivizing engagement in these communities. By connecting across the entire consumer journey, Kazm offers the tools to integrate these private spaces with broader marketing strategies, unifying member profiles and interactions with e-commerce, social media, and real-life events. However, the focus remains on the community's core values and benefits.
Crafting a successful community engagement strategy requires aligning these high-value actions and rewards with a broader strategy:
Start with a Public Base: Build a following and then invite them to participate in this more incentivized setting.
Define the Value Proposition: What unique benefits will your private community offer?
Choose the Right Platforms: Consider functionality, branding, and moderation capabilities.
Resource Commitment: Treat your community as an integral part of your business.
Consider Monetization: Membership fees, exclusive content, or sponsorships can be effective, but aren't required.
For brands and creators, connected, gamified communities are not just safer havens, but strategic tools for building deeper, more meaningful relationships with their loyal consumers. The future is here, and it's full of potential.
THE POLITICAL: Back to the Future: Gen Z and the 2024 Election Rematch
After last week's election results in New Hampshire, the least exciting, most predictable primary season in American history may already be over. The 2024 Presidential election will be a rematch between President Biden and disgraced, twice impeached former President Trump.
But for all that feels familiar, the 2024 edition feels scarier. A return to a Trump-led America would truly become Biff Tannen's Pleasure Paradise. And if it happens, we'll have Gen Z (a.k.a. "The TikTok Generation") to blame. In a startling shift, Generation Z's enthusiasm for the 2024 election appears to be fizzling out, foreshadowing troubles for the future of the American democratic process.
According to a recent Harvard Kennedy School poll, the intention to vote among 18 to 29-year-olds has plummeted to just 49%, a stark contrast to the fiery spirit seen in 2020. This trend isn't just a blip on the radar; it's a 5-alarm fire bell. Gen Z was instrumental in shaping the 2020 electoral landscape. But it stepping back, burdened by disillusionment, the swing vote now leans right. And wrong.
Unfulfilled promises and a disconnect on key issues like foreign policy and student loan forgiveness have turned excitement into apathy with the Democratic Party. The Biden Administration's magic on keeping the post-"Trump Pandemic" economy from collapsing. But this isn't just about broken promises; it's a deeper narrative about feeling unheard and sidelined.
The Biden campaign's response, or lack thereof, to this scary, dangers sense of alienation among young voters is concerning. While the focus remains on traditional campaign trails, the deeper, more existential crisis is being overlooked: restoring faith in a system that feels increasingly out of touch with its future stakeholders.
So why should we care? Well, it's simple. Democracy thrives on participation and belief in its fairness and effectiveness. When a significant chunk of the electorate, particularly young, vibrant voices, starts to feel detached, it's not just a problem for the current election cycle. It's a symptom of a deeper malaise, potentially leading to a chronic erosion of civic engagement.
And this isn't just about swinging an election. It's about reweaving the fabric of American democracy, making it relevant and responsive to those who are set to inherit it. I grew up LOVING this stuff. I couldn't wait to vote, counting down the days to both registering to vote upon my 18th birthday, and then again to Election Day in 1996.
But the real challenge today isn't just rallying these voters for an election season; it's about genuinely addressing their concerns and restoring their belief in the democratic process. For the health and future of American democracy, the voices of millions of Gen Z citizens need not just to be heard, but acted upon. After all, a democracy that doesn't evolve with its people risks becoming a relic of the past.
So what will it take... In the next edition of the Four Ps, I'll talk about why I'm hoping for an "August surprise." See you all in February.