The first time I heard about the pob rich list was about 3 months ago. I remember joking about not ever making the list, but a lot has changed since then.
The last time I checked I was in the top 100 list (that was about 3 weeks ago). An amazing feat for someone who has been barely active for the past 3 months. I don’t know of any community on the hive blockchain where one can achieve such a feat in a short time.
However, I honestly do not care about the rich list. I see a lot of people fussing about it lately and I am wondering why? Is there any incentive for being on the rich list or is it just another way of gamifying the system? (which is fine).
First of all, I don't feel like I am in a competition with anyone but myself. If it so happens that i get on the list due to the time and effort i put into writing content and contributing to the community, that is fine.
At the end of the day, your rank on the rich list won’t matter if the community isn’t growing. So I am greatly inspired by those who are putting out great content; those who are coming up with interesting initiatives to help boost engagement; those working towards broadening the horizon of the community. Those are the things that thrill me.
Now I am not saying that wanting to be on the rich list is a bad thing. Do whatever motivates you to be better. I remember once I wanted to be a top contributor on hive and that spurred me into reading and commenting more. So if being on the rich list would make you a top contributor on the pob community then go for it.
However, for those who aren’t anywhere near the rich list, I think you're better off focusing on your content and engagement. The upvotes and stake are often the byproducts of being a top contributor.
Proof-of-brain is still a community in its infancy and there is a huge opportunity to grow if you put in the right effort. You have a greater chance of succeeding here than any other community on the blockchain for basically posting and engaging.
I always like to play on my terms (maybe I am just a control freak). This way there is no pressure to be what I don’t want to be or doing things i don’t care about.
In summary, I think the goal should be to add value to others by creating good content, engaging, staking, etc By doing so you grow exponentially in just a short time. Be your competition.