Today in Edworking News we want to talk about Group chats rule the world 05/19/24 Most of the interesting conversations in tech now happen in private group chats: Whatsapp, Telegram, Signal, small invite-only Discord groups. Being part of the right group chat can feel like having a peek at the kitchen of a restaurant but instead of food, messy ideas and gossip fly about in real-time, get mixed, remixed, discarded, polished before they show up in a prepared fashion in public. Salons and groups have always existed, but why the recent shift to private discourse? Time and time again I’ve seen group chat conversations act as the memetic upstream of mainstream opinion. Like a stand-up comic workshopping his set in a small club before a big Netflix special, people trial content and ideas, find bonds and you’ll often see narratives and ideas discussed make the jump to X/Twitter and then mainstream discourse. Which leads to the question: what makes one of these work? I’ve been a part of several groups and have tried to stand up many myself and I find the same patterns repeating across all the good ones. The best ones are a “forever dinner party” – good friends and conversation happening in perpetuity. They often share the below.
Gardener, not Carpenter
A strong and fair central leader who sets the tone and enforces the rules is essential for a successful group chat. This leader resembles a gardener more than a carpenter, knowing how to tend to the garden – planting seeds, plucking weeds, and providing the love and care the garden deserves. The leader must have a keen instinct for the group’s vibe, understanding when to bring in new members, encourage new ideas, or shut down conversations that derail the community. Misbehaving members or rule-breakers are promptly removed to maintain harmony.
Cooling Rods and Nuclear Reactors
In the analogy of cooling rods and nuclear reactors, some members like to talk a lot, and their contributions are critical for injecting new ideas. However, they can also dominate conversations. Cooling rods, typically the BDFL or a trusted member, moderate the group’s dynamics. If the conversation slows down, they provoke new discussions; if it gets too heated, they calm things down. This delicate balance keeps the conversation dynamic without letting it become monopolized.
The N-1 Group
Side chats are a hallmark of every successful group chat. These groupings allow members to discuss privately, often about certain loud personalities. The existence of these n-1 groups (groups without that one annoying member) is a litmus test for whether the community is functioning well.
Dinner Party Alchemy
Choosing the right people for a group chat requires a touch of alchemy. The best dinner parties mix varied personalities – entertainers, warm conversationalists, and raconteurs. To avoid stagnation, the group needs a continual influx of new ideas, themes, and members.
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Size and Pruning
A group chat's quality is inversely related to its size. As groups grow beyond a sustainable number (often less than 100), they lose intimacy and quality. Periodic pruning – ensuring members earn their spot and removing inactive ones – is crucial. Introducing new, valuable members is a way to refresh the group and maintain its quality.
Shared Rituals
The best groups have shared rituals, jokes, and routines that bond members deeply. These rituals can range from simple repetitive posts to organizing significant events like multi-day trips.
In essence, what makes a great group chat work? It's the mix of new ideas and humor. Just as Elsa Maxwell noted nearly a century ago about hosting great dinners, it’s these elements that make or break a party. The blend of structured leadership, sensitive moderation, the right mix of people, and shared rituals create enduringly valuable and dynamic group chats.
Remember these 3 key ideas for your startup:
- Strong Leadership: A central leader not only sets the tone but also manages the group's dynamics, ensuring a steady flow of productive interaction.
- Balanced Participation: Having moderators to keep the conversation balanced ensures that no single voice dominates, fostering a collaborative environment.
- Continuous Evolution: Keep the chat fresh with new ideas and members while maintaining a size that promotes intimate and meaningful exchanges.
By following these ideas, you can cultivate an effective, engaging, and productive group chat for your startup or SME.
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