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We’ve already talked about your profile page and how easy it will be for others to understand who you are and what you do at a glance. But we haven’t yet touched on the intriguing part: statistics.

Life, society, and, consequently, the internet are full of challenges. And when people face challenges, they often seek to overcome them—to reach a goal, set a record, or prove something. But is that the only or best way to approach them?

While SLAM IN will include statistics, we believe they should be used thoughtfully. Like anything else, they require education and awareness to be used effectively.

Who Cares?

“I don’t care” is a phrase that, depending on context, can express either utter disrespect or pure detachment from the judgment of others. Naturally, we prefer to use it in the latter sense, which is why we hope our members understand the intention behind the Statistics page.

When you log in to SLAM IN, the first page you’ll see is your dashboard. There, you can access your personal calendar and upload content. Among the options, a button will take you to your stats page—today, we’re focusing on this potentially powerful tool.

If you’re the egomaniacal type, simply opening the stats page might give you a rush. But we want to encourage deeper engagement and suggest one or more ways to read, interpret, and use this “passive” summary of your activity.

Every number on your stats page can boost your confidence or guide you toward self-improvement. But let’s be clear: we’re not equating metrics like video views with the value of your poetry or performance. Instead, we aim to provide an accurate report that lets you interpret what’s behind the numbers. And, ideally, you’ll care more about how you evaluate your work than what others think.

It’s not about, “I’m posting this because I have free speech, so I don’t care what you think.” Instead, it’s about saying, “This video had fewer views, but twice the comments—maybe the subject deserves deeper exploration.”

MU or the Third Way

When discussing statistics and their meaning, let’s dive into something more profound: the concept of MU.

MU is a Zen principle that emphasizes the existence of a third way—beyond positive or negative. MU isn’t water or air; MU is the wave. It suggests there’s always another option: positive, negative, and something else; yes, no, and perhaps; black, white, and the infinite spectrum of grays.

So, if one of your videos receives fewer views than another, it could mean many things (perhaps you posted it at the “wrong” time, or maybe it resonated deeply with a niche audience), but we would like to stress the fact that none of them is predominant. SLAM IN’s lack of an algorithm ensures that every piece of content has equal visibility and an equal chance to reach others.

The stats aren’t meant to measure popularity but to provide insights and help you grow. In a way, MU reminds us we don’t need to choose between positive or negative if we can find a way to bypass the problem entirely. And that’s precisely what we’ve done with appreciation gestures.

10, Just 10

Remember when YouTube tried to reduce the impact of its thumbs-down button? It was an attempt to manage feedback, but without the right framing and tools, negative feedback often caused more harm than good.

We’re not advocating toxic positivity, where everything is labeled “amazing” regardless of quality. Nor do we pretend that every creation can be a masterpiece. Instead, we aim to eliminate unnecessary negativity by encouraging a more intentional approach.

Without a “downvote” button for poems or videos, expressing disapproval takes more time and effort—you’d have to at least leave a comment. Ideally, we hope this makes people pause and reflect before delivering harsh criticism. Punching down just to feel superior benefits no one.

Of course, if moderation is needed, we’ll try to respond quickly to requests. But our goal is to create a safe space where members treat each other as they’d like to be treated. By focusing on positive feedback, stats can become a source of encouragement and growth. And we’d love to remind you that if a video or poem isn’t your style, you’re free to move on to the next one.

Panem et Circenses

SLAM IN is not about providing an outlet for rage. We believe balance isn’t static but a continuous practice of embracing highs and lows. Still, for those who need a place to vent, discuss, or even downvote, there’s the Forum section. And we’re not stopping there!

One of SLAM IN’s founding principles is “no noise.” Another is “publish here and share everywhere, but keep the platform focused.”

The internet is flooded with endless chatter—constant shouting without resolution. We don’t want to contribute to that. However, we recognize the importance of free discussion. That’s why we’re working to integrate tools where external content can be shared in a specific section. This area will allow debates and even downvotes, but with a twist that we’ll reveal next week.

Thank you for following, reading, and sharing! Feel free to leave feedback; it’s always appreciated.

Published: Gen 29 – 2025