向下竞争看似不可避免，其实不是

but it isn’t.

A company wants web traffic, so it dumbs down content, builds listicles and grows. But then others become even dumber or more convenient, so it has to race to keep up with them. Eventually, with nothing but junk, it fades away.

A company builds a reputation for delivering useful permission-based email newsletters. But it needs to grow, so it eases its rules on spam, facilitates list swaps and grabs for attention. This attracts new users, but eventually the spam filters catch on and the site (and its users) sink into the muck.

A celebrity finds their notability fading, so they appear on C and then D list reality shows until everyone is in on the joke except them…

We can justify most moves to the bottom while they’re happening, but the problem with this race is that you might win.

With effort, you might not get to the top, but without resolve, you’ll certainly find yourself at the bottom.

The alternative is to resist the temptation for fast growth and settle for trust and authority instead. The race to the top is possible, but it’s more like a patient, persistent climb.

It’s difficult, lonely and only for long-term players. That’s precisely why it’s so valuable.

If you’re not proud of it, don’t serve it.