I write reviews on IMDB every once in a while, and it’s impossible not to notice the value of being first. If I write my review after the first episode of a series, the review gets far more attention than if I wait until I’ve finished the season to write my review. That’s the value of being first.
However, there is a rather striking drawback to this approach as well and I don’t think you have to be a genius to figure it out. Still, I’d like to discuss the value of being first and also the problem with being in an instant feedback cycle from whence that value derives.
Fast is Best Society
I don’t think I’m going to break any new ground with my thoughts on this subject. I suspect almost everyone can deduce the problem simply by reading the title. In this world of social media and instant feedback, those who wait are lost. It is generally only those who first make a point who get the value of being first. That is to say, the most eyes, the most responses, the most likes.
The algorithms give enormous preferential treatment to the review that gets the most looks, the most responses, the most clicks. Therefore, obviously, if you rush out with a review on IMDB you get more reads and your review is more like to a be given the “Featured” tag. This means it appears at the top of the review list and, of course, means it will get even more views and clicks.
The Drawbacks to Fast
While the value of being first is certainly obvious, I hope the drawbacks are equally apparent. If you review a show after a single episode, the review is likely to contain information that might not reflect your final opinion about the show. Perhaps you hated the first episode or loved it. Then, upon watching the full season or seasons, realized it was much better, or worse, than you originally thought.
It is possible to go back and edit your original review but that has problems. If you end up changing your mind about a show, all the people who read and liked your original review will disagree with your revised opinion if they ever bother to reread it.
The Value of Being First extends beyond IMDB
The larger issue is that people who leap to conclusions, rush out opinions, shout from the highest rooftop at the earliest moment are succeeding by the metrics of modern society and its instant feedback loop.
The measured response, taken after a prolonged fact-finding mission, is relegated to the dung-heap at the back of the line. No one sees it, no one reads it, it influences no one.
That’s where we’re at and I’m of the opinion it’s not a good place to be.
What is the way out? I’m not completely sure but I do think someone has to look deeply at the algorithms that push the first and most controversial takes out to the majority of viewers.
Again, I don’t think I’ve broken any new ground here today. I suspect most of you not only agree with me but probably managed to figure out the entire contents of this article just by reading the headline. Still, I thought it worth the effort.
Tom Liberman