Note: View this post through Peakd.
Let's see if this works.
There is a new feature on Peakd that I am sure is going to get more creatively used than what I will do here, but I think it is an interesting feature that could have some further development done to it to make it more useful for various things.
Spoiler Alert
! [It was brought to my attention by]
@galenkp
And it likely has several uses.
! [This is NSFW] Perv.
Yes, it is a "Spoiler" tag that allows a reveal of some text.
! [Or an Image] Don't look at my wife!
And while this is pretty cool and could be used for a bit of fun, what it also hints at is the ability to have "read more" sections as well as "subscription only" sections built within posts. Currently, this is just a text solution that hides it on compatible interfaces, but potentially, it could be combined with similar functionality and abilities like Splinterlands uses through Custom JSONs to hide battles.
This also opens up for options for the reveal, where for example for NSFW content there might be some kind of age verification or liability acceptance. There could also be password protected content or "paid subscription" triggers where there is a monthly subscription that allows key access or, perhaps even an on-the-fly access through a vote, making it a post within a post. This could be useful for subscription magazines where collections of posts can be brought together and the posts get rewarded based on various metrics, like most read.
Obviously, these things open up more avenues for various kinds of abuse too, but dealing with the negatives is part of the evolutionary process and for every advancement, there is going to be incentive to take advantage of it and use it in "unintended" ways.
One of the biggest arguments when it comes to "paying for content" on Hive is the idea that it is all meant to be transparent and free, because people have become accustomed to getting everything digital for free, even though, we are paying far more for consumable content than we have ever paid in the history of the world. Just look at all of the streaming services people subscribe to and then, there are the adult services like OnlyFans - where adult content is sold by the entertainer more directly to the audience.
! [Who the Fuck] pays for Porn?
But, the appetite for "customized" content is growing rapidly, where people feel there is value when they get the sense that something is created just for them or, they have access to something that not everyone has access to. While the "free internet" frowns upon this, it is also driven by the sense if exclusivity and membership, which is why the social movements have so much support - because people want to belong to a group.
How would you feel for example if the next reveal was going to cost you at least a 1 cent vote?
! [Pay me]
Do you want your money back?
Remember though, if it is getting accessed through a vote, that the access will also attract a curation return of 50% - though I am not sure how that would work in practice with the reward mechanisms currently in place.
But of course, a 1 cent vote is currently around 750 HIVE POWER, which means that a lot of people wouldn't have access to it, which is why the calls of exclusion will begin and fairness. But, isn't this the case with pretty much everything in the world already? Not everyone can afford a Ferrari, not everyone can afford a loaf of bread. Should content be treated differently for some reason? What is the difference?
Having paid subscriptions on Hive would be a gamble for an individual content provider I believe, as I don't think that most people would be willing to have that imposed, even if they are already voting the posts of that creator. However, there might be usecases where it is acceptable under certain conditions or, for platform subscriptions that offer some kind of additional service that people value. There are also other applications for it, where for example, there could be subscriber communities where the content with is hidden to everyone other than subscribers behind keys.
Regardless of the paid subscription content through voting, I do think that there is some value in being able to have an additional "checks and balances" for some content on the platform, where an additional opt-in or subscription is required. This would allow more potential for platforms to build a business model on Hive and not have to rely on daily votes alone in order to get paid consistently. Instead, they can attract subscribers for extended periods of time either through direct transfers or, autovotes for access.
Building functionality is important for the growth of Hive in order to keep bringing it closer to parity with the centralized platforms and options. This isn't easy to do in a decentralized manner for many reasons, however small changes like a "reveal" option will lead to creative uses of it and then, further development and new options to utilize.
While the "Spoiler" tag is only available on Peakd at the moment, Galen said that it will be coming to Hive.blog in the near future also and I think it would be good for all the viewing interfaces to implement it, to encourage more usage and of course, improvements for the Hive consumers.
One brilliant use of it would be to hide the mass of links, wallet addresses and banners for all those people who have a "signature" longer than their post.
! [Affectionately known as] Wankers.
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]