You are inspired enough – read useful things

The life story of the taxi driver. The woman who finally quit to start her business. The wise words of the grandmother or the four-year-old son. Hach, what other people post feels like great inspiration. The internet is full of inspiration. And inspiration would be really great – if it weren’t such a big nuisance.

People post inspirational stories because they get so much digital love for it. The trend is dangerous because it keeps us all from work. It also shifts public perception away from competence towards a sense of importance. But behind this significance there is nothing that would help anyone in any way. The formerly brightest minds wrap wise words in warm stories. They could do the same with valuable information.

But inspiration works incredibly well on social networks. This is due to human behavior: Of course, the like is given quickly if the story sounds nice. A thesis, a provocation or an exclamation as a headline, the main thing is catchy: Like! Heart! Applause!

This is most effective when allegations are made, for example of oppression or issues that no one is said to be speaking about publicly. That these claims are usually untenable: It doesn’t matter! Heart!

The next problem is that we users also reward the inspiring stories with a debate. Those who attract comments create their own reach. That algorithms work that way is part of the “time well spent” approach, which is really, really, really a weird joke.

Inspirational stories are great for reach because at least a thank you is always included. This is somewhat absurd, because people don’t say thank you for anything. Her life hasn’t changed, her worldview hasn’t really expanded. You experienced a brief moment of illusion and later you won’t know what it was all about. Let’s imagine that on the sofa in the evening:

“Well, what did you experience today?”
“So there was this post on the internet from a taxi driver in Sulzthal near Hammelburg..!”
Uh… nope.

The feeling of inspiration is not sustainable. Inspiration only affects the people who really learn from it, but we don’t learn anything worthwhile. What we learn: Inspiration creates reach. Inspiration works for those who send it. Furthermore, it doesn’t work for anyone. The trend is hollow and yet self-reinforcing. Actually remarkable.

I wish for a digital journalism that thinks about value again. These are the posts that are really valuable:

• Share your knowledge: Did you learn something? Tell us, I want to know too. let me learn from you
• Share real experiences: Did you experience something that is really new? Or that meaningfully stands for something you would like to talk about? tell us
• Stop Lying: How to Spot a Bullshit Post? Third parties are quoted with clichéd statements. Sentences that many are afraid of, but which are no longer really used. And then: excitement! That doesn’t inspire, that stresses. And it cements outdated worldviews.

The all-important factor is the following – if you don’t take it into account, I would advise you to stop writing. Yes, I mean that so drastically!

• Respect the readers: Imagine a person whose professional opinion is important to you. He or she only has time for one text today and you choose it. Should it be yours? Then post it. D rather not? Then please leave it alone!

These criteria tell you whether others have written something valuable – or you yourself. Those who post inspiration often lack respect for the people who are supposed to read these texts. Read what gets you going. Read what informs or amuses you. But stay away from inspiration. Inspiration doesn’t like you. Inspiration just wants your attention.