How I, a fighter against conspiracy theories, learned about note's design philosophy and decided to 'keep writing here'

Have you ever felt exhausted from trying to share 'correct information' on social media?

As a healthcare professional, I continue to use note to raise literacy against conspiracy theories and fake news. But to be honest, I sometimes feel empty. While articles with sensational headlines go viral, my carefully written educational articles quietly drift away. There were nights when I thought about things that were counterproductive, like 'Maybe I should be more provocative.'

At such times, I came across an article by note's CXO (Chief Experience Officer) Takayuki Fukatsu. The title was 'Why note fights against 'PV-supremacy''. When I finished reading it, I found myself saying out loud, 'I'm glad I'm writing on this platform.'

Today, I would like to share that moving experience with you all.

The horror of a structure where 'anger' is the most profitable

In Fukatsu-san's article, this was the sentence that shocked me the most.

'Making users angry to spark debate and get clicks (called rage-baiting) becomes the most efficient way to make money'

This is exactly what I was feeling in the field of fake news awareness.

Why do conspiracy theories and hoaxes spread so much? It's because content that stirs up 'anger' and 'anxiety' is designed to be the most 'rewarding' within the platform's structure. In a world where page views are directly linked to revenue, it becomes rational to rub people the wrong way. Fukatsu-san points out that even liberal media outlets are being drawn into this temptation.

I myself have had the experience of being almost swallowed by this structure when I was doing awareness activities on X. Provocative posts like 'people who believe in XX are ignorant' get overwhelmingly more engagement. But even if I make such posts, they don't reach the people I really want to reach; instead, they only deepen the divide. I lost sight of why I was posting in the first place.

The 'three design philosophies' that note aims for

Fukatsu-san says that the 'public safety' of social media and media is determined by three factors: what you do to make money, what you do to become popular, and what you do to gain a sense of accomplishment.

And this is the kind of world note is aiming for:

If you make the internet better, you make money. The more you share knowledge and experience that is useful to everyone, the more popular you become. The more you are thanked by readers or help them grow, the more sense of accomplishment you gain.

When I read this, I thought, 'Ah, this is the place I was looking for.'

To be honest, raising awareness about conspiracy theories and fake news is a genre that is 'hard to make go viral.' Even if a post saying 'Vaccines are dangerous!' spreads, a post saying 'I will carefully explain how vaccines work' looks plain. But the latter should be the one that is truly valuable.

Fukatsu-san writes that note aims for 'a world where content that is read thoroughly and supported continuously by fans is rewarded.' This is exactly the hope for a creator like me.

From 'outer battles' to 'inner battles'

Another thing I deeply resonated with is the contrast between "outer battles" and "inner battles".

Competing for follower counts, fighting with others, and engaging in one-upmanship. Mr. Fukatsu says these are "outer battles" and are factors that degrade the safety of a platform. On the other hand, how to improve one's writing skills, deepen one's experiences, and continue to explore. This is the "inner battle" and the direction that note aims for.

What I keep in mind in my fake news awareness efforts is precisely this "inner battle."

The goal is not to refute people who believe in conspiracy theories and "win." Instead, it is about how to get accurate information to more people and how to create dialogue rather than division. Continuing to face those questions is my "inner battle."

Turning the energy used to attack others into energy to improve oneself. This is a psychologically healthy approach, and in the long run, it will definitely produce good results. If the platform's design philosophy guides people in that direction, there is nothing more reassuring.

Looking "beyond the numbers"

At the end of Mr. Fukatsu's article, there was this statement.

"Let us look at the 'human emotions' and 'chains of creation' that exist beyond the numbers"

When I read that sentence, I felt truly saved.

To be honest, the awareness articles I write on note do not get many page views. But sometimes, I receive comments of gratitude. They don't show up in the numbers, but they have certainly reached someone's heart. Because I have that realization, I am able to keep writing.

Mr. Fukatsu says that page views and sales are "lagging indicators" and should not be pursued directly. What we should really be looking at is whether readers are continuing to engage and whether a positive chain reaction is being created. There are people managing the platform with that perspective. Just knowing that makes me think, "I want to keep writing here."

Prioritizing "sincerity" over "correctness"

Finally, let me write about what I thought again after reading this article.

When we face fake news and conspiracy theories, we tend to try to compete with "correctness." It is scientifically correct, it is logically correct, so listen to what I say.

But that alone does not move people's hearts.

I believe that what is important is "sincerity." Admitting that you don't know what you don't know. Correcting yourself if you make a mistake. Showing an attitude of thinking together while being close to the other person's anxieties and fears.

Because the note platform is fighting against "page-view supremacy," we can share content that values that "sincerity." We don't have to incite. We don't have to rush. We can just convey things carefully and slowly in our own words.

Fukatsu-san, thank you for the wonderful article. I will continue to write about fake news and literacy on note. Not to create 'anger,' but 'understanding'; not to create 'division,' but 'dialogue.'

If you are exhausted from trying to share accurate information, please read Fukatsu-san's article. I am sure it will give you the strength to start walking again.

Believing that our small messages can be the beginning of a 'positive chain' for someone.