Many people never make a cent from what they know, even though information clearly has value. The problem is that information is infinitely copyable. The moment you share something good, the window to get paid closes and the downstream value flows to everyone but you.
Pieces is built on a dominant assurance contract (DAC), a two-sided mechanism:
1. Backers pool funds to unlock a piece of information they want.
2. If the goal is met, it unlocks and the creator gets paid.
3. If it isn't, backers are refunded plus a premium, just for pledging.
So backing has no downside: you either get the information you paid for, or you get paid for your attention. A piece can be anything, from independent research to a hot take.
Posting is free and takes seconds. Happy to answer questions about the whole flow.
Not sure why you're coming up as showdead.. saw your x, definitely not a bot if that's the issue. Maybe the site looks too vibecoded?
Am thinking of experimenting with images.
I like the idea of getting a custom "Piece in process" image... sort like https://i.imgur.com/removed.png but with an appropriate Pieces message that changes as backing takes place with the image becoming the actual image upon successful unlock.
But, hosting the images is the major issue here. Perhaps create a Wordpress plugin that integrates with Pieces? Provide an API?
But even if it can't convert to the actual image, it's still a good idea for marketing. It could say something like. "Image unlocked, see ____.com [custom domain] or trypieces.com/____ for the full reveal" or just "released through TryPieces"
I have no idea why I'm coming up as showdead. Thanks for letting me know. I just sent an email to HN.
On the embed image idea: I understand. If there's demand for that I'd most definitely implement that. For now, landing on the Piece page has all the available information for the current funding status of the Piece and whatnot.
Perhaps there is a time-limit for the picture to be released, ie it may not have been created. I am thinking of an artist who may need to paint something or an investigative journalist who needs to report on something.
- comparing my ideas to Pieces, I am not sure if/how there is a match, but the requirements look similar. Good luck!
add: I've always like the idea of releasing music, with the artist able to receive tips for it at any point in time. They release it for free, with knowledge that it will be shared in many ways, including P2P networks where the bulk of distribution occurs. Videos as well. To make it work, they supply very accurate metadata in files, with an address for tips to flow - just thought this would be interesting to you. My idea for that was called GrooveTip.
So perhaps Pieces could allow for the initial funding of music/video to be released. Metadata could lead back to the Pieces page for further tips in the future. In other words, information can have unrealized gains event after it's been released but payments should be voluntary. Perhaps tippers can leave a comment in return and the largest tips get floated to the top with the associated comment. YT already colorizes its tips in live chat windows.
6 comments
[ 3.9 ms ] story [ 60.4 ms ] threadMany people never make a cent from what they know, even though information clearly has value. The problem is that information is infinitely copyable. The moment you share something good, the window to get paid closes and the downstream value flows to everyone but you.
Pieces is built on a dominant assurance contract (DAC), a two-sided mechanism:
1. Backers pool funds to unlock a piece of information they want.
2. If the goal is met, it unlocks and the creator gets paid.
3. If it isn't, backers are refunded plus a premium, just for pledging.
So backing has no downside: you either get the information you paid for, or you get paid for your attention. A piece can be anything, from independent research to a hot take.
Posting is free and takes seconds. Happy to answer questions about the whole flow.
Am thinking of experimenting with images.
I like the idea of getting a custom "Piece in process" image... sort like https://i.imgur.com/removed.png but with an appropriate Pieces message that changes as backing takes place with the image becoming the actual image upon successful unlock.
eg: https://trypieces.com/u/john/i/i493493295.png
This would work anywhere across the web that allows for image deep-linking. (not 4chan)
You could run a text-to-image function if the Piece is textual to generate such images. eg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HJgAcAaXcAM_49r?format=jpg&name=...
But, hosting the images is the major issue here. Perhaps create a Wordpress plugin that integrates with Pieces? Provide an API?
But even if it can't convert to the actual image, it's still a good idea for marketing. It could say something like. "Image unlocked, see ____.com [custom domain] or trypieces.com/____ for the full reveal" or just "released through TryPieces"
On the embed image idea: I understand. If there's demand for that I'd most definitely implement that. For now, landing on the Piece page has all the available information for the current funding status of the Piece and whatnot.
Good idea
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47879268
Another idea is to "bounty-up" photos rather than text.
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47550247
Perhaps there is a time-limit for the picture to be released, ie it may not have been created. I am thinking of an artist who may need to paint something or an investigative journalist who needs to report on something.
- comparing my ideas to Pieces, I am not sure if/how there is a match, but the requirements look similar. Good luck!
add: I've always like the idea of releasing music, with the artist able to receive tips for it at any point in time. They release it for free, with knowledge that it will be shared in many ways, including P2P networks where the bulk of distribution occurs. Videos as well. To make it work, they supply very accurate metadata in files, with an address for tips to flow - just thought this would be interesting to you. My idea for that was called GrooveTip.
So perhaps Pieces could allow for the initial funding of music/video to be released. Metadata could lead back to the Pieces page for further tips in the future. In other words, information can have unrealized gains event after it's been released but payments should be voluntary. Perhaps tippers can leave a comment in return and the largest tips get floated to the top with the associated comment. YT already colorizes its tips in live chat windows.