Episode 117: An Azircon Conversation
The People's Guild: A Splinterlands Podcast
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Welcome back to the People's Guild. In this one, we make a return trip to Houston, TX to sit down with our good buddy 
We discuss the recent spike in activity & uptick of quality content from the Splinterlands community on Hive, the recent DAO proposal to support Cryptomancer through the DAO's funds and its aftermath, as well as the Hall of Legends promotion from Splinterlands.
Enjoy the show!
Discussing TPG Challenge and Original Content Creation
Bjangles and Azircon discussed the TPG challenge and its impact on the Splinterlands community. Azircon emphasized the importance of original content creation and avoiding template posting, which he believes is a form of farming votes. He noted that the TPG challenge has encouraged more creative and unique posts, which is the goal. Hepthorn added that there are tools available for saving and reusing material, but the focus should be on creating original content. Azircon also mentioned the significant voting power of accounts like SteemMonsters, the SPS DAO, and Matt's personal account. The team agreed on the need for original content creation and avoiding repetitive posting.
Discussing Hive's Rewards System and Anonymity
Azircon discussed the rewards system on Hive, emphasizing that the monetary value associated with it can lead to personal considerations. He suggested not to take downvotes personally and to consider them as part of the common reward pool. Azircon also highlighted the importance of not reaching out to those who upvoted a post, as it's not fair to do so. Hepthorn and Bjangles agreed with Azircon's points, with Bjangles adding that the lack of anonymity of Hive's system can make it feel more personal than other platforms like YouTube and Twitter.
Design of Downvote Icon and Feedback
Bjangles and Azircon discussed their personal opinions on the design of the downvote icon on a platform, with Bjangles expressing that it felt personal and stung more than the upvote. Azircon explained that the icon was a broken heart, the opposite of the heart symbol for upvote, and was not intended to be personal. They also discussed the difficulty of giving and receiving negative feedback, with Azircon suggesting that it's a natural defense mechanism. The conversation ended with Azircon emphasizing the importance of self-training to receive constructive feedback.
Addressing Spam and Automated Voting on Hive
Azircon and Hepthorn discussed the issue of spam posts and automated voting on Hive. Azircon pointed out that 99.8% of votes on Hive are automated, and these bots can be set up by anyone. Hepthorn questioned the effectiveness of not voting for spam posts, to which Azircon responded that even with automated voting, new accounts have a low chance of receiving significant votes. Azircon also mentioned that there are identifiable voting patterns, which can be used to target posts for more votes. The conversation ended with Hepthorn's observation that the money on Hive is not truly owned by the users, but rather given by the automated services.
High Reward Pool Concept and Hive Model Discussion
The meeting focused on the concept of a high reward pool, likened to a container where people put and take money. Azircon clarified that the money in the container is not owned by the performers, such as violinists or magicians, who contribute to it. The performers only have a small potential percentage of the container, which they receive after 7 days of creating their content. The discussion also touched on the Hive model, emphasizing that no money is taken from the reward pool until day 7, and the payout is proportional to the cumulative vote. The possibility of removing the vote number from the post was briefly discussed but did not gain traction.
Discussing Negative Feedback and Constructive Feedback on Hive
The team discussed the issue of negative feedback and constructive feedback on Hive. Hepthorn and Azircon agreed that there's a difference between the two and that negative feedback can be necessary for improvement. Azircon shared his approach to handling negative feedback, emphasizing the importance of leaving comments to explain his actions. Bjangles suggested that receiving a downvote could be a badge of honor for those creating valuable content, and Azircon agreed, sharing his personal experiences with receiving downvotes. The team concluded that handling negative feedback is part of the responsibility of contributing to the Hive community.
Financial Position and Proposal Controversy
Bjangles and Azircon discussed the current financial position of their organization, noting that they are in a good position with 2.5 million above the return proposal. Azircon expressed gratitude towards the community for their support but remained cautious, stating that they could always get out of favor. They also discussed a proposal that had stirred controversy, with Azircon stating that while they don't like the proposal, they have limited options. Azircon emphasized that the funds belong to the team and they are just custodians, managing the funds for the team's benefit. Hepthorn agreed with Azircon's points, adding that the team's money was initially set up to get the money there, and without the team, the money would be worthless. Both agreed that while the proposal's rollout could have been better, they should give credit to the team for explaining the finances and their vision for the company's stability.
Decentralized Governance Challenges and Matt's Role
Hepthorn and Azircon discussed the challenges of decentralized governance and the difficulties of managing a decentralized company. They expressed concerns about Matt's ability to effectively manage the company, suggesting that he might be better suited to a role as a game maker or developer. Azircon emphasized the need for a balance between management and development roles, and suggested that Matt's strengths lie in game development rather than management. They also discussed the importance of clear communication and the need for Matt to improve his messaging. The conversation ended with Azircon expressing the belief that Matt's return to a game maker role would be beneficial for the company.
Matt's Potential Return and Communication Skills
Bjangles, Azircon, and Hepthorn discussed Matt's potential return to his original position, expressing concern about his burnout and the need for him to be passionate about his work. They highlighted Matt's communication skills and bedside manner as areas for improvement. The team also discussed Matt's recent post, which they felt was a sign of desperation and urgency. However, after a conversation, Matt seemed more positive and open to change. The team agreed that Matt's transparency was one of his strong suits and that it was beneficial for him to return to his original position. Azircon expressed high regard for Matt, describing him as a nice, balanced, and extremely smart individual, and emphasized the importance of Matt's well-being and his potential to be a game maker.
Discussing Proposal, Code Base, and Company Transition
Bjangles and Azircon discussed concerns about the proposal's request for the code base, with Azircon clarifying that it was not a sign of the company's inevitable failure but part of Matt's vision for the company to act as a contractor for the DAO. Azircon emphasized the safety of having ownership of funds, code base, and assets under the DAO entity, aligning with distributed governance. Hepthorn agreed with Azircon's points, and they discussed the company's transition to becoming a contractor of the DAO, acknowledging the complexity of the legalities involved. The next step would be to start migrating the actual running of the game to the DAO, with validator nodes playing a role in this transition. All parties agreed that the company's role is to assist in the transition, with the ultimate goal of the Dow running the game.
Splinterlands Updates and New Game Modes Discussion
Bjangles discussed the recent updates and potential new game modes in Splinterlands, including a possible PVE mode and a 'hardcore' mode. Azircon expressed support for these ideas, noting that they have been a long-standing request from the community. Hepthorn and Azircon also shared their experiences with the new UI update and the new Hall of Legend promos, with Hepthorn mentioning his progress with the Night Stalker card. The team also discussed the potential for new game modes and strategies, with Azircon expressing enthusiasm for the possibilities.
