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"Awards" Rant

13567

Replies

  • Evelyn_Gorfram
    Evelyn_Gorfram Posts: 706 Member
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    Jruzer wrote: »
    Some people find these kinds of things motivating, I suppose. This "gamification" is a pretty standard thing in digital life nowadays. MFP gives you a digital high-five when you log in for a certain number of days straight. Heck, I'm almost kind of proud of some of my untappd "badges", including the "Extraordinary" badge for 1000 unique check-ins:
    a75wsa49hiy6.jpg

    Regarding 9 AM: When I was in grad school I'd routinely stay up working until 2-3 AM and then sleep in well past 9. Of course, you can argue that a PhD student isn't a "normal functioning adult". ;)

    1169 as of today :)

    Love Untappd!

    do we need to start a MFP untapped club :) i'm laggin behind you guys - i just joined

    Done!

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/128596-untappd-beer-lovers-of-mfp

    You spelled "untapped" wrong, dumbass :)

    It didn't kitten that?!?
    That's too bad, because I like the idea of the word "dumbkitten."

  • mph323
    mph323 Posts: 3,563 Member
    Carlos_421 wrote: »
    Packerjohn wrote: »
    They are organizing a step challenge at work, Some of my group was going to do it so I took a look. It involves measuring steps with a tracker or phone app. Since I don't have a tracker, I looked at the recommended phone app.

    When I looked at the app, this "challenge/award opportunity" came up. WTF, some app developer feels the need to "award" adult behavior (2nd or 3rd shift workers not included in this rant)?

    For what it's worth, developers just write what the spec tells us to. There was a product manager, a designer, and a graphic artist involved in this decision.

    If they'd had a Business Analyst, they'd have discovered the actual need the app could meet and developed towards that instead.

    *Steps off soapbox

    (Yes, I'm a business analyst lol)

    Now you have me wondering if the general public (not us enlightened folks here!) gave enough feedback requesting a feature like that to make including it more appealing to the targeted audience.
  • Tacklewasher
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    Jruzer wrote: »
    Some people find these kinds of things motivating, I suppose. This "gamification" is a pretty standard thing in digital life nowadays. MFP gives you a digital high-five when you log in for a certain number of days straight. Heck, I'm almost kind of proud of some of my untappd "badges", including the "Extraordinary" badge for 1000 unique check-ins:
    a75wsa49hiy6.jpg

    Regarding 9 AM: When I was in grad school I'd routinely stay up working until 2-3 AM and then sleep in well past 9. Of course, you can argue that a PhD student isn't a "normal functioning adult". ;)

    1169 as of today :)

    Love Untappd!

    do we need to start a MFP untapped club :) i'm laggin behind you guys - i just joined

    Done!

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/128596-untappd-beer-lovers-of-mfp

    You spelled "untapped" wrong, dumbass :)

    Untappd spelled untapped wrong :)

    It's so nice that you didn't resort to name-calling, like some people...

    You're such a guy.....
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    pinuplove wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    Jruzer wrote: »
    Some people find these kinds of things motivating, I suppose. This "gamification" is a pretty standard thing in digital life nowadays. MFP gives you a digital high-five when you log in for a certain number of days straight. Heck, I'm almost kind of proud of some of my untappd "badges", including the "Extraordinary" badge for 1000 unique check-ins:
    a75wsa49hiy6.jpg

    Regarding 9 AM: When I was in grad school I'd routinely stay up working until 2-3 AM and then sleep in well past 9. Of course, you can argue that a PhD student isn't a "normal functioning adult". ;)

    1169 as of today :)

    Love Untappd!

    do we need to start a MFP untapped club :) i'm laggin behind you guys - i just joined

    Done!

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/128596-untappd-beer-lovers-of-mfp

    I can't join. I hate beer :sad:

    Same. Shall we go for margaritas, @pinuplove?

    Sign me up! I just want to belong :cry:
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    pinuplove wrote: »
    pinuplove wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    Jruzer wrote: »
    Some people find these kinds of things motivating, I suppose. This "gamification" is a pretty standard thing in digital life nowadays. MFP gives you a digital high-five when you log in for a certain number of days straight. Heck, I'm almost kind of proud of some of my untappd "badges", including the "Extraordinary" badge for 1000 unique check-ins:
    a75wsa49hiy6.jpg

    Regarding 9 AM: When I was in grad school I'd routinely stay up working until 2-3 AM and then sleep in well past 9. Of course, you can argue that a PhD student isn't a "normal functioning adult". ;)

    1169 as of today :)

    Love Untappd!

    do we need to start a MFP untapped club :) i'm laggin behind you guys - i just joined

    Done!

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/128596-untappd-beer-lovers-of-mfp

    I can't join. I hate beer :sad:

    Same. Shall we go for margaritas, @pinuplove?

    Sign me up! I just want to belong :cry:

    You guys can launch Uncorkd.

  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    Jruzer wrote: »
    Some people find these kinds of things motivating, I suppose. This "gamification" is a pretty standard thing in digital life nowadays. MFP gives you a digital high-five when you log in for a certain number of days straight. Heck, I'm almost kind of proud of some of my untappd "badges", including the "Extraordinary" badge for 1000 unique check-ins:
    a75wsa49hiy6.jpg

    Regarding 9 AM: When I was in grad school I'd routinely stay up working until 2-3 AM and then sleep in well past 9. Of course, you can argue that a PhD student isn't a "normal functioning adult". ;)

    1169 as of today :)

    Love Untappd!

    do we need to start a MFP untapped club :) i'm laggin behind you guys - i just joined

    Done!

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/128596-untappd-beer-lovers-of-mfp

    You spelled "untapped" wrong, dumbass :)

    Untappd spelled untapped wrong :)

    It's so nice that you didn't resort to name-calling, like some people...

    Worst.

    Canadian.

    Ever.

    :laugh: He should have his citizenship revoked for that offense.
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    pinuplove wrote: »
    pinuplove wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    Jruzer wrote: »
    Some people find these kinds of things motivating, I suppose. This "gamification" is a pretty standard thing in digital life nowadays. MFP gives you a digital high-five when you log in for a certain number of days straight. Heck, I'm almost kind of proud of some of my untappd "badges", including the "Extraordinary" badge for 1000 unique check-ins:
    a75wsa49hiy6.jpg

    Regarding 9 AM: When I was in grad school I'd routinely stay up working until 2-3 AM and then sleep in well past 9. Of course, you can argue that a PhD student isn't a "normal functioning adult". ;)

    1169 as of today :)

    Love Untappd!

    do we need to start a MFP untapped club :) i'm laggin behind you guys - i just joined

    Done!

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/128596-untappd-beer-lovers-of-mfp

    I can't join. I hate beer :sad:

    Same. Shall we go for margaritas, @pinuplove?

    Sign me up! I just want to belong :cry:

    You guys can launch Uncorkd.

    Looks a bit too much like something else no guy would ever want to join.

    Although.... :tongue:
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    pinuplove wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    pinuplove wrote: »
    pinuplove wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    Jruzer wrote: »
    Some people find these kinds of things motivating, I suppose. This "gamification" is a pretty standard thing in digital life nowadays. MFP gives you a digital high-five when you log in for a certain number of days straight. Heck, I'm almost kind of proud of some of my untappd "badges", including the "Extraordinary" badge for 1000 unique check-ins:
    a75wsa49hiy6.jpg

    Regarding 9 AM: When I was in grad school I'd routinely stay up working until 2-3 AM and then sleep in well past 9. Of course, you can argue that a PhD student isn't a "normal functioning adult". ;)

    1169 as of today :)

    Love Untappd!

    do we need to start a MFP untapped club :) i'm laggin behind you guys - i just joined

    Done!

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/128596-untappd-beer-lovers-of-mfp

    I can't join. I hate beer :sad:

    Same. Shall we go for margaritas, @pinuplove?

    Sign me up! I just want to belong :cry:

    You guys can launch Uncorkd.

    Looks a bit too much like something else no guy would ever want to join.

    Although.... :tongue:

    But I don't like wine, either...
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    pinuplove wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    pinuplove wrote: »
    pinuplove wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    Jruzer wrote: »
    Some people find these kinds of things motivating, I suppose. This "gamification" is a pretty standard thing in digital life nowadays. MFP gives you a digital high-five when you log in for a certain number of days straight. Heck, I'm almost kind of proud of some of my untappd "badges", including the "Extraordinary" badge for 1000 unique check-ins:
    a75wsa49hiy6.jpg

    Regarding 9 AM: When I was in grad school I'd routinely stay up working until 2-3 AM and then sleep in well past 9. Of course, you can argue that a PhD student isn't a "normal functioning adult". ;)

    1169 as of today :)

    Love Untappd!

    do we need to start a MFP untapped club :) i'm laggin behind you guys - i just joined

    Done!

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/128596-untappd-beer-lovers-of-mfp

    I can't join. I hate beer :sad:

    Same. Shall we go for margaritas, @pinuplove?

    Sign me up! I just want to belong :cry:

    You guys can launch Uncorkd.

    Looks a bit too much like something else no guy would ever want to join.

    Although.... :tongue:

    But I don't like wine, either...

    Then get busy thinking up a clever name for a margarita group.
  • Tacklewasher
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
    pinuplove wrote: »

    Looks a bit too much like something else no guy would ever want to join.

    Although.... :tongue:

    Like

    angunnnda70w.png
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    pinuplove wrote: »

    Looks a bit too much like something else no guy would ever want to join.

    Although.... :tongue:

    Like

    angunnnda70w.png

    And yet you still lurk...
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    edited September 2018
    pinuplove wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    pinuplove wrote: »
    pinuplove wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    Jruzer wrote: »
    Some people find these kinds of things motivating, I suppose. This "gamification" is a pretty standard thing in digital life nowadays. MFP gives you a digital high-five when you log in for a certain number of days straight. Heck, I'm almost kind of proud of some of my untappd "badges", including the "Extraordinary" badge for 1000 unique check-ins:
    a75wsa49hiy6.jpg

    Regarding 9 AM: When I was in grad school I'd routinely stay up working until 2-3 AM and then sleep in well past 9. Of course, you can argue that a PhD student isn't a "normal functioning adult". ;)

    1169 as of today :)

    Love Untappd!

    do we need to start a MFP untapped club :) i'm laggin behind you guys - i just joined

    Done!

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/128596-untappd-beer-lovers-of-mfp

    I can't join. I hate beer :sad:

    Same. Shall we go for margaritas, @pinuplove?

    Sign me up! I just want to belong :cry:

    You guys can launch Uncorkd.

    Looks a bit too much like something else no guy would ever want to join.

    Although.... :tongue:

    This guy is in

    jiuzccohyzs9.png

    Edit - I have no idea who this is. This was the #3 image result from my google search "ultimate beta male"
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    pinuplove wrote: »
    pinuplove wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    pinuplove wrote: »
    pinuplove wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    Jruzer wrote: »
    Some people find these kinds of things motivating, I suppose. This "gamification" is a pretty standard thing in digital life nowadays. MFP gives you a digital high-five when you log in for a certain number of days straight. Heck, I'm almost kind of proud of some of my untappd "badges", including the "Extraordinary" badge for 1000 unique check-ins:
    a75wsa49hiy6.jpg

    Regarding 9 AM: When I was in grad school I'd routinely stay up working until 2-3 AM and then sleep in well past 9. Of course, you can argue that a PhD student isn't a "normal functioning adult". ;)

    1169 as of today :)

    Love Untappd!

    do we need to start a MFP untapped club :) i'm laggin behind you guys - i just joined

    Done!

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/128596-untappd-beer-lovers-of-mfp

    I can't join. I hate beer :sad:

    Same. Shall we go for margaritas, @pinuplove?

    Sign me up! I just want to belong :cry:

    You guys can launch Uncorkd.

    Looks a bit too much like something else no guy would ever want to join.

    Although.... :tongue:

    But I don't like wine, either...

    Then get busy thinking up a clever name for a margarita group.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3HBcgxOWAQ
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    edited September 2018
    pinuplove wrote: »

    Looks a bit too much like something else no guy would ever want to join.

    Although.... :tongue:

    Like

    angunnnda70w.png

    I notice that thread has at some point been clicked on....
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    pinuplove wrote: »
    The MFP logins thing is especially silly because you don't have to use the site or app to get credit. If I go for a hike or bike ride, my watch will sync, and MFP treats that as if I logged in.

    This is why it's always funny to me when I see someone freaking out because they can't close their diary for low calories (whole other issue) and think they will lose their streak. I haven't closed my diary in months.

    I've never closed my diary ever. What does doing that get you?

    You are rewarded with a "What if" statement that is wildly inaccurate.

    Wouldn't it be great if I could sell those?
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    pinuplove wrote: »
    pinuplove wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    pinuplove wrote: »
    pinuplove wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    Jruzer wrote: »
    Some people find these kinds of things motivating, I suppose. This "gamification" is a pretty standard thing in digital life nowadays. MFP gives you a digital high-five when you log in for a certain number of days straight. Heck, I'm almost kind of proud of some of my untappd "badges", including the "Extraordinary" badge for 1000 unique check-ins:
    a75wsa49hiy6.jpg

    Regarding 9 AM: When I was in grad school I'd routinely stay up working until 2-3 AM and then sleep in well past 9. Of course, you can argue that a PhD student isn't a "normal functioning adult". ;)

    1169 as of today :)

    Love Untappd!

    do we need to start a MFP untapped club :) i'm laggin behind you guys - i just joined

    Done!

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/128596-untappd-beer-lovers-of-mfp

    I can't join. I hate beer :sad:

    Same. Shall we go for margaritas, @pinuplove?

    Sign me up! I just want to belong :cry:

    You guys can launch Uncorkd.

    Looks a bit too much like something else no guy would ever want to join.

    Although.... :tongue:

    But I don't like wine, either...

    Then get busy thinking up a clever name for a margarita group.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3HBcgxOWAQ

    :+1:
  • Tacklewasher
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
    pinuplove wrote: »
    pinuplove wrote: »

    Looks a bit too much like something else no guy would ever want to join.

    Although.... :tongue:

    Like

    angunnnda70w.png

    I notice that thread has at some point been clicked on....

    Accident, I assure you.

    No I wasn't checking to see if you were talking about me behind my back. I really wasn't....
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    edited September 2018
    pinuplove wrote: »
    pinuplove wrote: »

    Looks a bit too much like something else no guy would ever want to join.

    Although.... :tongue:

    Like

    angunnnda70w.png

    I notice that thread has at some point been clicked on....

    Accident, I assure you.

    No I wasn't checking to see if you were talking about me behind my back. I really wasn't....

    You're 343 posts behind. You know how thread drift goes...
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    pinuplove wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    pinuplove wrote: »
    pinuplove wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    Jruzer wrote: »
    Some people find these kinds of things motivating, I suppose. This "gamification" is a pretty standard thing in digital life nowadays. MFP gives you a digital high-five when you log in for a certain number of days straight. Heck, I'm almost kind of proud of some of my untappd "badges", including the "Extraordinary" badge for 1000 unique check-ins:
    a75wsa49hiy6.jpg

    Regarding 9 AM: When I was in grad school I'd routinely stay up working until 2-3 AM and then sleep in well past 9. Of course, you can argue that a PhD student isn't a "normal functioning adult". ;)

    1169 as of today :)

    Love Untappd!

    do we need to start a MFP untapped club :) i'm laggin behind you guys - i just joined

    Done!

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/128596-untappd-beer-lovers-of-mfp

    I can't join. I hate beer :sad:

    Same. Shall we go for margaritas, @pinuplove?

    Sign me up! I just want to belong :cry:

    You guys can launch Uncorkd.

    Looks a bit too much like something else no guy would ever want to join.

    Although.... :tongue:

    This guy is in

    jiuzccohyzs9.png

    Edit - I have no idea who this is. This was the #3 image result from my google search "ultimate beta male"

    I was wondering. My education is lacking on current social figures, so I just figured it was somebody I should know but didn't.
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    edited September 2018
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    pinuplove wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    pinuplove wrote: »
    pinuplove wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    Jruzer wrote: »
    Some people find these kinds of things motivating, I suppose. This "gamification" is a pretty standard thing in digital life nowadays. MFP gives you a digital high-five when you log in for a certain number of days straight. Heck, I'm almost kind of proud of some of my untappd "badges", including the "Extraordinary" badge for 1000 unique check-ins:
    a75wsa49hiy6.jpg

    Regarding 9 AM: When I was in grad school I'd routinely stay up working until 2-3 AM and then sleep in well past 9. Of course, you can argue that a PhD student isn't a "normal functioning adult". ;)

    1169 as of today :)

    Love Untappd!

    do we need to start a MFP untapped club :) i'm laggin behind you guys - i just joined

    Done!

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/128596-untappd-beer-lovers-of-mfp

    I can't join. I hate beer :sad:

    Same. Shall we go for margaritas, @pinuplove?

    Sign me up! I just want to belong :cry:

    You guys can launch Uncorkd.

    Looks a bit too much like something else no guy would ever want to join.

    Although.... :tongue:

    This guy is in

    jiuzccohyzs9.png

    Edit - I have no idea who this is. This was the #3 image result from my google search "ultimate beta male"

    I was wondering. My education is lacking on current social figures, so I just figured it was somebody I should know but didn't.

    :lol: Same here!

    ETA now I wonder what the first two images were...
  • sunfastrose
    sunfastrose Posts: 543 Member
    Carlos_421 wrote: »
    Packerjohn wrote: »
    They are organizing a step challenge at work, Some of my group was going to do it so I took a look. It involves measuring steps with a tracker or phone app. Since I don't have a tracker, I looked at the recommended phone app.

    When I looked at the app, this "challenge/award opportunity" came up. WTF, some app developer feels the need to "award" adult behavior (2nd or 3rd shift workers not included in this rant)?

    For what it's worth, developers just write what the spec tells us to. There was a product manager, a designer, and a graphic artist involved in this decision.

    If they'd had a Business Analyst, they'd have discovered the actual need the app could meet and developed towards that instead.

    *Steps off soapbox

    (Yes, I'm a business analyst lol)

    Just to point out, there has been analysis that finds in a lot of spaces the "gamification" of these kinds of rewards does lead to higher user engagement #s. You can find examples in this very thread.
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    Carlos_421 wrote: »
    Packerjohn wrote: »
    They are organizing a step challenge at work, Some of my group was going to do it so I took a look. It involves measuring steps with a tracker or phone app. Since I don't have a tracker, I looked at the recommended phone app.

    When I looked at the app, this "challenge/award opportunity" came up. WTF, some app developer feels the need to "award" adult behavior (2nd or 3rd shift workers not included in this rant)?

    For what it's worth, developers just write what the spec tells us to. There was a product manager, a designer, and a graphic artist involved in this decision.

    If they'd had a Business Analyst, they'd have discovered the actual need the app could meet and developed towards that instead.

    *Steps off soapbox

    (Yes, I'm a business analyst lol)

    Just to point out, there has been analysis that finds in a lot of spaces the "gamification" of these kinds of rewards does lead to higher user engagement #s. You can find examples in this very thread.

    There's a reason why people in the tech industry limit themselves and their children to gamification exposure, especially around social media.

    I'm disappointed that no one has used this in a positive way to influence behavior. When Microsoft began to realize the power behind their Xbox Achievement point system there was a speech about this on how societies could do this. I cannot remember the speaker or the event, but the point was astounding.

    Join a carpool - 10 pts.
    Maintain a healthy weight - 20 pts.
    Exercise 30 mins - 10 pts.

    Governments could use this as a carrot to influence behavior where a certain amount of points is rewarded with recognition, tax benefits, etc.

  • Carlos_421
    Carlos_421 Posts: 5,132 Member
    Carlos_421 wrote: »
    Packerjohn wrote: »
    They are organizing a step challenge at work, Some of my group was going to do it so I took a look. It involves measuring steps with a tracker or phone app. Since I don't have a tracker, I looked at the recommended phone app.

    When I looked at the app, this "challenge/award opportunity" came up. WTF, some app developer feels the need to "award" adult behavior (2nd or 3rd shift workers not included in this rant)?

    For what it's worth, developers just write what the spec tells us to. There was a product manager, a designer, and a graphic artist involved in this decision.

    If they'd had a Business Analyst, they'd have discovered the actual need the app could meet and developed towards that instead.

    *Steps off soapbox

    (Yes, I'm a business analyst lol)

    Just to point out, there has been analysis that finds in a lot of spaces the "gamification" of these kinds of rewards does lead to higher user engagement #s. You can find examples in this very thread.

    Oh, I'm aware of that. But just a guess, for this particular app, it would likely be more useful for the user if the app was dynamic enough to be adjusted for their schedule. A generic wake up time of 9 am is likely not applicable to most.
  • eatyogarun
    eatyogarun Posts: 59 Member
    Oh gawd, I just signed up with my husband's health insurance app which I am REQUIRED to do or be charged extra, which is really irritating. Anyway, they have stuff like that. One of my "missions" is to work out for 2 minutes per day. That's not a typo - TWO. I don't do any of this stuff, you just have to sign up and turn in your biometric screening, the rest is optional for "rewards."
  • Tacklewasher
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    Carlos_421 wrote: »
    Packerjohn wrote: »
    They are organizing a step challenge at work, Some of my group was going to do it so I took a look. It involves measuring steps with a tracker or phone app. Since I don't have a tracker, I looked at the recommended phone app.

    When I looked at the app, this "challenge/award opportunity" came up. WTF, some app developer feels the need to "award" adult behavior (2nd or 3rd shift workers not included in this rant)?

    For what it's worth, developers just write what the spec tells us to. There was a product manager, a designer, and a graphic artist involved in this decision.

    If they'd had a Business Analyst, they'd have discovered the actual need the app could meet and developed towards that instead.

    *Steps off soapbox

    (Yes, I'm a business analyst lol)

    Just to point out, there has been analysis that finds in a lot of spaces the "gamification" of these kinds of rewards does lead to higher user engagement #s. You can find examples in this very thread.

    There's a reason why people in the tech industry limit themselves and their children to gamification exposure, especially around social media.

    I'm disappointed that no one has used this in a positive way to influence behavior. When Microsoft began to realize the power behind their Xbox Achievement point system there was a speech about this on how societies could do this. I cannot remember the speaker or the event, but the point was astounding.

    Join a carpool - 10 pts.
    Maintain a healthy weight - 20 pts.
    Exercise 30 mins - 10 pts.

    Governments could use this as a carrot to influence behavior where a certain amount of points is rewarded with recognition, tax benefits, etc.

    Hey. Some of us Canadians can do this. There is an app called Carrot rewards that gives rewards (Air miles, Save on Food points etc.). It's only in some provinces and does not play well with Garmin so I don't use it. But if I carried my phone everywhere I went I could get a benefit, underwritten by the provincial government.

    There is a thread around here somewhere on this.
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    Since it seems optional to choose this challenge/reward in that app I wonder how many are doing it? I wonder why they selected 9 am?
    I could see a dumb reward thing like that maybe helping someone who is a bit depressed or who struggles to maintain routines. Sometimes little things can help someone feel like they did one thing so maybe they can do more. I've seen advice encouraging depressed people to make their beds every day to help them. That is something many would not think was a big deal to do. Maybe this is similar. What is nothing for some adults is an accomplishment for others.

    I wake up most days by 7 am without an alarm clock without a reason to be awake at any particular time of day. I've struggled with insomnia and have gotten 8 hours of sleep a few nights this week at last. I'd like the sleep tracker I am using to help me celebrate this minor accomplishment of sleeping all night with a dumb "reward" but it does nothing.
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    Carlos_421 wrote: »
    Packerjohn wrote: »
    They are organizing a step challenge at work, Some of my group was going to do it so I took a look. It involves measuring steps with a tracker or phone app. Since I don't have a tracker, I looked at the recommended phone app.

    When I looked at the app, this "challenge/award opportunity" came up. WTF, some app developer feels the need to "award" adult behavior (2nd or 3rd shift workers not included in this rant)?

    For what it's worth, developers just write what the spec tells us to. There was a product manager, a designer, and a graphic artist involved in this decision.

    If they'd had a Business Analyst, they'd have discovered the actual need the app could meet and developed towards that instead.

    *Steps off soapbox

    (Yes, I'm a business analyst lol)

    Just to point out, there has been analysis that finds in a lot of spaces the "gamification" of these kinds of rewards does lead to higher user engagement #s. You can find examples in this very thread.

    There's a reason why people in the tech industry limit themselves and their children to gamification exposure, especially around social media.

    I'm disappointed that no one has used this in a positive way to influence behavior. When Microsoft began to realize the power behind their Xbox Achievement point system there was a speech about this on how societies could do this. I cannot remember the speaker or the event, but the point was astounding.

    Join a carpool - 10 pts.
    Maintain a healthy weight - 20 pts.
    Exercise 30 mins - 10 pts.

    Governments could use this as a carrot to influence behavior where a certain amount of points is rewarded with recognition, tax benefits, etc.

    Government could just plant a chip in your *kitten* to monitor those things. Send results directly to the IRS.
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    Lounmoun wrote: »
    Since it seems optional to choose this challenge/reward in that app I wonder how many are doing it? I wonder why they selected 9 am?
    I could see a dumb reward thing like that maybe helping someone who is a bit depressed or who struggles to maintain routines. Sometimes little things can help someone feel like they did one thing so maybe they can do more. I've seen advice encouraging depressed people to make their beds every day to help them. That is something many would not think was a big deal to do. Maybe this is similar. What is nothing for some adults is an accomplishment for others.

    I wake up most days by 7 am without an alarm clock without a reason to be awake at any particular time of day. I've struggled with insomnia and have gotten 8 hours of sleep a few nights this week at last. I'd like the sleep tracker I am using to help me celebrate this minor accomplishment of sleeping all night with a dumb "reward" but it does nothing.

    It's a hook. Something achievable by most people so the barrier to engagement is low, and once you're "caught" you're more likely to do more, and probably even enter a compulsion loop where you want more and more of that gratification, except tasks are now harder to achieve so you need to work harder. Having put effort into it, you're less likely to leave.

    Or you're an outlier like me and decide it's an incredibly stupid waste and get turned off from the app.
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