Announcing the H Prize!
Dear Community,
I hope all is well! I’m writing today with an exciting announcement. We will be launching the H Prize on November 2, 2021.
There will soon be a landing page with more details at 7cups.com/hprize. For now, here is a flyer that gives a broad overview:
What is the H Prize?
The H Prize is designed to honor our collective efforts and highlight how we help one another
grow. People of all sorts - experts and non-experts both - are invited to create their own growth paths on 7 Cups.
A growth path is a series of steps (text, video, images) designed to help strengthen us as
individuals and as a global society.
What are the categories?
Categories for Growth Paths include:
Compassion
Courage
Spirituality
Hope
Leadership
Motivation
Change
Depression
Anxiety
Substance Use
Relationships
Gratitude
Happiness
What is the prize?
There will be a $2,000 USD award for each category.
How will growth paths be judged?
There will be 4 criteria: number of steps taken, number of upvotes, quality of content, relevance of content. Please do not try to game the steps or upvotes.
When will winners be announced?
The date is TBD, but likely the end of February or March 1.
How do I build a growth path?
Great question! Here is a video that walks you through it!
Are current growth paths eligible?
Yes, any growth path that has already been built is eligible. Please just add a category tag to the growth path so we can find it.
Why are we doing this?
We believe that growth path steps are a sort of digital therapeutic or digital medicine that can help people overcome specific challenges. At present, we have over 100 growth paths that address dozens of issues. There are many issues that people struggle with that have therapy protocols or growth path steps that are too difficult for people to consistently take. It feels too much like homework. Instead, growth path steps need to feel a bit easier to do - kind of like eating a snack (I love those “healthy” snap pea snacks and can eat a bag without even thinking about it) and even enjoyable. That is what want to do for exercises and interventions to help people better cope with and master challenges.
Another reason is we want to increase growth paths for areas that do not yet have therapy protocols so we can help more people that experience a variety of problems. For example, Emre, the main developer that built the growth path tool has a fear of dogs. We don’t yet have a growth path that helps people overcome a fear of dogs. Soon we will and many more areas as well!
How was this funded?
A philanthropic foundation funded this project to help increase growth paths that address positive and strength based areas like religion, spirituality, and flourishing.
Is Hope a judge?
Yes! The Dean of our Academy is also a judge. Thanks Hope!
I am interested, how can I participate?
We encourage you to think about the category(s) you would like to build growth paths for - thinking of the target population (users) as well as the specific area/topic within these categories are a great way to formulate your growth path plan.
If you are ready to start building your growth path, please submit this Participant Information Form so we can award you the badge (Path Builder) to build a growth path that is publicly available for usage for the 7 Cups community.
I have signed up but need support
We’ve got your back! Please submit the Support Form for assistance.
Ask any other questions below and we'll answer them and update this main post as well. Thank you!
Thank you,
Glen
I've filled the participation form but haven't received the path builder badge to get started on building my paths which can be publically accessed. By when can I expect the badge to start working on my paths?
@HealingFox210 I'll badge everyone on Monday - please note that you can get started on the private mode and switch modes whenever you would like too!
Alright, thank you so much ☺️
@GlenM
It's been a while since I submitted the form but haven't been badged yet. ;-;
@cheerfulIceCream Hi you should have it now
@SoulfullyAButterfly
I do now, thanks!
@GlenM
Here's my brand new GROWTH PATH that applies to almost EVERYONE at 7cups.
Perhaps I should enter it because it covers almost all the possible categories in the BUILDER.
GROWTH PATH: Easiest Way to A Toned Body
Description:
Add healthy moves to life at home or work.
Here's the most convenient way.
Build a healthy habit right now!
Studies show that exercise can help everyone at 7Cups, including people with issues in:
ADHD, Alcohol/Drug Use, Anxiety, Bipolar, Borderline (BPD), Breakups, Bullying, Cancer, Chronic Pain, Depression, Domestic Violence, Eating Disorders, Exercise Motivation, Family Stress, Financial Stress, Getting Unstuck, Managing Emotions, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Racial & Cultural Discrimination, Recovery, Relationship Stress, Self-Esteem, Self-Harm, Sleeping Well, Social Anxiety, Spirituality, Student Life, Weight Management, and Work Stress.
@GlenM
Question about H Prize growth path categories.
Please help us understand...
Why are the H Prize path categories different from the Path Builder categories? Especially, why are categories missing in the Builder but are in the H Prize categories?
I suspect that growth paths could have H Prize category aspects like "Courage, Hope, Leadership, Change, Gratitude, Happiness", but they are not Path Builder categories.
I suspect you want H Prize entry growth paths to foster those aspects above.
So that means path creators need to make specific content that explicitly explains those aspects of their growth path to path users so it is obvious.
Otherwise, the H Prize judges will have a very tough time assessing those aspects, especially if the growth path covers them but only implicitly.
For a category list comparison, I show below matches in the 2 lists are underlined and made bold.
Here are the selectable Growth Path categories in the Path Builder:
Path Builder all possible "Select Categories"
ADHD
Alcohol/Drug Use
Anxiety
Bipolar
Borderline (BPD)
Breakups
Bullying
Cancer
Chronic Pain
Depression
Disabilities
Domestic Violence
Eating Disorders
Exercise Motivation
Family Stress
Financial Stress
Forgiveness
General Mental Health
Getting Unstuck
Grief
LGBTQ+ Issues
Loneliness
Managing Emotions
Men's & Women's Issues
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Panic Attacks
Parenting
Perinatal Mood Disorder
PTSD/Trauma
Racial & Cultural Discrimination
Recovery
Relationship Stress
Self-Esteem
Self-Harm
Sexual Health
Sleeping Well
Social Anxiety
Spirituality
Student Life
Weight Management
Work Stress
Here are the H Prize growth path categories, many which are different and missing on the Builder list:
Categories for Growth Paths include:
- Compassion
- Courage
- Spirituality
- Hope
- Leadership
- Motivation
- Recovery
- Change
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Substance Use
- Relationships
- Gratitude
- Happiness
Please forgive any typos above.
@GlenM
Another related question...
The H Prize page says...
"Winners will be announced on or around March 1, 2022. Growth paths previously built and shared on 7 Cups also qualify if they are tagged by category".
But as explained in my earlier question, the H Prize includes categories that are not taggable in the Path Builder.
I think what was meant to be said is that "growth paths must be tagged with a category for them to be visible on the community growth path web page".
Please help us understand what is meant regarding "category tagging" and its impact on H Prize judging categories.
@7cupsCommunity please look at the 2 posts above by @7motivation there's some good questions.
@GlenM This sounds awesome! And what an enticing prize :o I've always loved the growth paths. Small steps are so much easier and rewarding. You get that instant gratification!
I submitted my form :)
@GlenM @Heather256 @SoulfullyAButterfly @Fristo
Please make H Prize fair for all.
Please fix defect so new paths are displayed on Community Paths page.
New paths are not being displayed in carousels if there are many paths in a category.
The solution is needed on both the Community Paths page and also the My Paths page.
To prove the defect exists:
I created a "TEST" public growth path and added it to ALL categories.
I proved the defect exists because my "test" growth path does NOT display for MANY Community Path page categories.
Here is the test growth path so you can see for yourself:
https://www.7cups.com/path/playlist/test-path-visibility-on-carousels-on-community-paths-page/
To see the defect yourself:
Go to the Community Paths page
and manually click through each category in a carousel
to the very END.
You should see my public "test" growth path in EVERY category near the far right because I just added it recently.
The sooner the defect is fixed, the better:
Otherwise, many people's public growth paths are not being made visible due to the defect.
Then those paths won't get any views or upvotes.
Then the H prize would not be fair.
Hope you can fix this problem quickly.
If you need help fixing the problem:
Perhaps there are 7Cups users who know web page design.
If so, perhaps they could look at the web page code and find the carousel problem then suggest corrections to fix the problem.
Until the problem is fixed, all users should be notified that:
"A problem exists with NEW growth paths being displayed. New growth paths MAY not show up on the Community Paths page or on path-creator's My Paths page if there are many paths already in a particular category."
Please forgive any typos above.
@GlenM @Heather256 @SoulfullyAButterfly @Fristo
Click HERE to listen to the text above
(2 minute audio)
Or perhaps you can listen with this Google Translate link
@7motivation Hi there, just wanted to let you know that our Dev team is looking into this. In the meantime, we do have other ideas to help support and promote every participant's path.
Hi @SoulfullyAButterfly
Thank you for the reply.
Until the carousel defect is fixed...
People can use the "Search" box to find their paths on the Community Paths page that don't show up on the carousel due to the carousel defect.
By using the search box first to limit the results, I am able to find my "test" path on the in all categories as you can see here:
https://www.7cups.com/path/modifier/community/?query=test
Hopefully people who are creating new paths will use the search box too.
Otherwise, they might get frustrated if they can't find their new path in the carousel and they don't know about the defect being fixed.
Also hopefully people searching to find and use a new path will use the search box also.
The carousel defect mentioned above was found as explained below!
@GlenM @Heather256 @SoulfullyAButterfly @Fristo
Click HERE to listen to the text below.
Imagine, changing the H Prize right now, to be much more like, the X Prize!
How and Why?
How:
1) Be very specific when setting the criteria for winning.
2) Pick criteria urgently needed for major progress.
Make it more like a moon shot prize. Very specific, very awesome.
3) Think more like the X Prize Foundation.
Why:
Vague prize criteria, like "Hope" and "Happiness", simply won't inspire or help people make breakthroughs.
Vague prize criteria, like "Hope" and "Happiness", won't inspire competition or collaboration.
But... Specific and awesome prize criteria, will, like:
- "Path to Good Sleep Nightly - Step By Step"
- "Path to Becoming Unsedentary And Feeling Better - Step By Step"
- "Path to"... "add your favorite here"
Many people need or want those very specific things to get major results in their life.
People with all kinds of conditions here at 7Cups would benefit from better sleep and being less sedentary and similar solutions.
Science has proven it. We just need simple effective solutions here at 7Cups to help people do what they want to do but can't figure out how.
People will rally around specific worthy goals.
Specific worthy goals inspire effort and passion.
Specific worthy goals can make great things happen.
The X Prize:
The X Prize was designed assuming that a specific awesome needed goal was probably reachable:
Create a vehicle capable of flying to the edge of space.
The X Prize was like the Orteig Prize that inspired Lindbergh to create and fly a plane across the Atlantic non-stop.
Imagine if the X Prize did NOT have very specific criteria.
What would have been the result?
It would have been very uninspiring and unfocused.
So in conclusion:
Please reconsider your prize goals and criteria.
Please consider picking prize goals that are urgently needed for the next breakthroughs that many people need here at 7Cups.
Please consider picking prize criteria that helps people focus on those goals very specifically.
If you need help, let me know.
@7motivation we have a lot to learn here! thanks for the feedback :). the categories and criteria are meant to be specific. we can certainly do better. in what ways would you like to see more specific criteria for growth paths?
@GlenM @Heather256 @SoulfullyAButterfly @Fristo
GlenM, thank you very much for your reply.
The MAIN missing criteria is:
a set of "moon-shot" targets by path category.
Imagine how much more inspiring the H Prize would be if it was more like the X Prize!
Simply give path-makers specific moon-shot goals and they are more likely to achieve them.
It's not too late.
7Cups could still set a specific list of "moon-shot" targets by category. The more specific, the better. If path-makers reach the target, then that would be like extra credit in their score.
Perhaps the judges can help create the moon-shot list. They probably know many basic, yet awesome, targets that are reachable and just need to be put into growth paths.
As soon as 7Cups posts the moon-shot target list, everybody has a totally fair chance to try to reach those targets.
An example of a moon-shot target is... a growth path for:
"Getting Depression-Relief with Regular Physical Activity".
It's a "moon-shot" because it would be an awesome achievement. People with depression would greatly benefit from it per science. Exercise can be as good as medication.
It just needs to be put into a growth path that is designed properly. That's the tricky, yet do-able, part.
Also...
One major critical missing criteria is:
"Path-User feedback".
How to get it?
Simply request the Path-User provide feedback on the effectiveness of the path.
I believe 7Cups could easily send a message to each Path-User in the database.
Today, I received a notification promoting a specific growth path.
Until the H Prize judging is complete, I think announcements like this really should not be happening.
- The H Prize carries a large cash reward ($2,000 USD), so fairness in judging is important.
- One of the criteria for winning the prize is "number of upvotes".
- The original post in this thread indicates "Please do not try to game the steps or upvotes."
- An announcement like this artificially increases the visibility of that growth path and increases the chances of it receiving upvotes.
- This is unfair because most growth paths will not have the benefit of a site-wide announcement promoting them.
@QuietMagic very good point! i'll remove this now :)
@GlenM
Thank you!
@QuietMagic
I feel the same way about 1) announcements and 2) path position on the Community Paths page.
One solution to this problem is...
Eliminate "Number of upvotes" as a criteria for winning.
Instead, focus the criteria on...
- which path "works" the best for path-takers per results, and
- which path meets measurable path-design best-practices.
That will help entrants focus to make paths that "Get the intended job done".
General criteria also could be included
for measurable things like:
- easy-readability metric,
- bite-size-steps microlearning metric,
- design-for-mobile-device metric,
- stays-on-topic metric, and
- interaction-level metric.
But ultimately...
Each entry category should be MOST weighted on achieving that category's moon-shot goal.
For example...
For Depression, perhaps the moon-shot goal would...
Be best at... "Foster most members to use exercise daily".
Why that goal?:
Because exercise has been shown to relieve mild-to-moderate depression as much as medication.
Exercise is free and gives quick results on demand.
It's a do-able moon-shot.
We just need great paths to help people with depression get active daily.
The Depression entry that gets the most people to do physical activity daily should win the prize.
So... most importantly...
The H Prize winning paths should be
the "MOST EFFECTIVE" at their moon-shot objective.
@GlenM @Heather256 @SoulfullyAButterfly @Fristo
Please see my reply to QuietMagic above.
I meant to include you especially.
@7motivation
I can't speak to path position, but based on Glen's response it sounds like the announcement issue has been resolved.
I personally think the current winning criteria are reasonable.
- The original post mentions four criteria that will be used to determine the winners: "number of steps taken, number of upvotes, quality of content, relevance of content". The criteria you've highlighted (e.g. effectiveness, readability, staying on topic) would fall under "quality of content" and "relevance of content".
- The panel that is judging the submissions includes several psychologists who should be qualified to evaluate the effectiveness of paths based on their prior clinical/research experience.
I can think of some possible disadvantages of trying to directly measure/compare the effectiveness of each growth path:
- In general, it would be difficult/time-consuming to implement
- It would place an extra burden on members to have to submit results for each growth path they do (e.g. "I exercised on these days")
- It would be difficult to get members to submit results with a high enough response rate that the results are reliable/trustworthy
- It would potentially require overhauling the programming/design for growth paths in general to allow for members to submit/track their behaviors
- It would place significant limitations/constraints on the types of growth paths that people are able to create. Many paths likely focus more on providing information than suggesting a specific set of concrete actions, and psychoeducation is still helpful and can have a big impact even if that impact isn't as easy to measure.
- It would represent a significant change to the H Prize judging criteria partway through--and possibly after some people have already made submissions based on the existing set of judging criteria.
@QuietMagic @GlenM @Heather256 @SoulfullyAButterfly @Fristo
Thank you QuietMagic very much for your reply. I greatly appreciate the points made. I understand much better now.
Yet, I still strongly think there is possibility for fair criteria improvement.
At least: Add a Path-User's view of "path effectiveness".
Base it on Path-User "self-reported" feedback requested by private message just before the contest is judged.
Specifically, all path-users could be sent a message with a feedback-form link asking them to rate how effective the path was for them.
The message could also ask users other questions that could help the judges understand the path-user's point of view.
I'm saying all this hoping that the H Prize can, at least, have more measurable criteria defined and shared.
Specific judging criteria can greatly help drive path-makers to create more effective paths.
But criteria seems lacking now. So path-makers don't have targets set for them.
I agree that the judges are professionals who can judge based on their expertise.
But that won't make the paths get designed better.
The judges are going to have criteria. So perhaps they can share some of it at least, asap, for each category, so path-makers can strive for it.
Paths that were already made could always be updated to meet the specified criteria. That would be fair to all from that point on.
Bottom line: criteria seems lacking now, but could and should be shared, because specific criteria would drive making much better paths.
The first step to provide lacking criteria is to just try to write it down and keep it measurable where possible. If it looks sharable, then share it asap.
I have been reading about microlearning and have a very rough list of best practices criteria that I collected that path-makers could use. I'll work on finishing the list so I can share it asap.
Thanks for letting me make this point. I want to see great "moon-shot" type paths get made that really help people here.
@GlenM @Heather225 @SoulfullyAButterfly @Fristo
Hi GlenM. Also, it would be so nice if snacks could be...
- kept in the healthy snack area away from the junk snacks
- rated as healthy and nutritious somehow...
like maybe they need a label explaining the ingredients and freshness
Perhaps snacks could be given a seal of approval by
- user effectiveness rating
- the community
- experts
That way snacks that are really helpful can bubble up above the snacks that are...
- half-baked, not ripe yet,
- low or no real mental/physical/spiritual nutrition content
So then, the most awesome snacks would be much easier to find!
@GlenM, sorry, the comment above was meant to go lower below regarding snacks.
So please delete the comment above and keep the comment lower below.
@GlenM @Heather225 @SoulfullyAButterfly @Fristo
Hi GlenM... Regarding your comment above...
"growth path steps need to feel a bit easier to do - kind of like eating a snack ... enjoyable."
Please consider setting-up a
"snack display counter"...
filled with enjoyable...
H Prize entry "snacks"...
(individually-packaged path steps).
So people can...
find them quickly...
to enjoy them right away...
whenever they are hungry...
without having to...
rummage through carousels of paths...
and then rummage through each path!
Below is an example of an enjoyable "snack"...
to put on the "snack display counter"...
so it's easy to find...
for quick enjoyment...
when needed...
👉 Belly-Breathe Stress-Relief Snack
Path builders can add links to paths in their snacks...
like this Healthy Living Snack...
Hi GlenM. Also, it would be so nice if snacks could be...
- kept in the healthy snack area away from the junk snacks
- rated as healthy and nutritious somehow...
like maybe they need a label explaining the ingredients and freshness
Perhaps snacks could be given a seal of approval by
- user effectiveness rating
- the community
- experts
That way snacks that are really helpful can bubble up above the snacks that are...
- half-baked, not ripe yet,
- low or no real mental/physical/spiritual nutrition content
So then, the most awesome snacks would be much easier to find!
@GlenM @Heather225 @SoulfullyAButterfly @Fristo
Hi GlenM. Regarding snacks...
Snacks should be sharable with friends.
Especially H Prize entry snacks
(tasty steps in paths)
Then H Prize entry snacks can be come very popular fast.
And get upvotes they deserve.
So...
Please consider adding a SHARE BUTTON
to the end of each STEP
Then people can share a tasty snack
while they are playing the snack
on their My Path page.
Now it's true that...
You do have a share button on the preview page.
But people don't play path steps on the preview page.
People play paths steps on their My Path page.
So there needs to be a "hot trigger" share button
on the My Path page for each step,
if you want H Prize entry snacks (steps) to go viral
and get the most upvotes and views.
I'm sure past 7Cups funder Nir Eyal would agree.😀👍