Growth Path's Roadblocks
I'm wondering if the 'join a subcommunity' requirement in the growth path is some kind of bug? I've encountered it every so often. If it isn't a bug, I would consider it an useless step. For starter, there's not too many subcommunities, so the requirement would only force us to eventually join all of them. Because I want to maintain my right to choose as opposed to simply subscribing to them all, I end up subscribing then unsubscribing right after that particular step has passed. That's the reason I deem it a pointless requirement that only serves as an annoying hurdle in the growth path.
@moquila I agree. I suppose if you leave a community the system doesn't notice, so you can join the same community again and again.
It's a mistake to think that the growth path is really a path, or that it has anything to do with growth. It exists because psychologists have found that websites where people can complete simple tasks and receive symbolic rewards tend to be addictive. I've read that the technique was originally developed for gambling machines, to keep people playing.
See also: Applying The Addictive Psychology Of Slot Machines To App Design
Charlie
Hi Moquila,
It's understood to feel that the step to join a Subcommunity is annoying for a step on the growth. The idea of the step is to introduce new community members to the Subcommunity. This step helps with the idea of having people engaged in the Subcommunity that has been made as well.
Asher, Community Ambassador