on friendcatchers
I stumbled upon swyx's post on friendcatchers. It inspired me to infuse the concept here, so others can learn from it.
A friendcatcher is a wellspring that people return to for solutions. They can also serve as springboards for growth and connections, and landmarks that help others even when standing alone.
Even with trivial or uncertain knowledge, everyone has unique perspectives and experiences. Experts are beginners elsewhere; appearances don't always reveal one's knowledge.
Many struggle with impostor syndrome and feel clueless in some way. Fellow blogger James proclaims perfectionism is paralyzing. Approching others with vulnerability and insights starts meaningful conversations and growth, which stifles perfectionism.
Friendcatchers are invitations for further communication. They often outperform verbal invitations like "keep in touch" or "stay connected", which can fall on dead ears. When crafted well, they don't require your constant maintenance and upkeep.
Digital examples include docs like guides, cheatsheets, and resource lists. Physical examples include shared, convergent activities like cooking, lending itself to dinner parties, game nights, and other get-togethers. Reception and etiquette can differ significantly between these realms.
I predict that Bear will help you construct friendcatchers. Don't stop there; explore other platforms, methods, and how to better bridge the gap between your knowledge and its potential benefactors.
Feel free to write your own post responding to this post with any thoughts or questions. If I don't explicitly ask, chances are you won't share your insights. Please do!
In turn, I have some questions for you:
- Is there a specific topic from my twenty or so posts that interests you enough to respond?
- What contexts or other variables might make swyx's friendcatcher approach inferior?
- What is the path of least resistance for you to create your next friendcatcher?
The more gifts we share, the more love we can spread. Embrace this spirit and approach others with vulnerability to learn and grow better together.