I don't understand zaps. Why would I need a financial incentive to post my thoughts? And why would I want to read a person's thoughts if they are only posting them because they are being paid to?

You don't create a note just because you may zapped for it, you get zapped for it because others found it valuable. It's kind of a reverse feedback loop.

Well two things: First, all or much of social media is effectively monetized today. Creators actually make a living off of it. So there's money being exchanged by someone... Why shouldn't it be a simple transaction between the person creating the content, and the person receiving it? Why do "platforms" have to get involved? And 2nd, on "incentivization"; people have all kinds of motivations for doing things that are monetary or non-monetary in nature. Let's say we take out zaps and just have likes. "Why would I need (positive reinforcement in terms of a like) to post my thoughts?" People like getting validation, whether that's a like or a zap, and that doesn't invalidate their reasons for posting stuff on social media.

you don't need to do any of these things. you don't need to make posts for the sake of zaps and you don't have to read posts of people who are posting simply because they want to get zapped. it's obvious when someone makes content solely for the purpose of getting zapped. it comes off disingenuous and yeah, I don't bother wasting my time with people like that.

Incentivized to improve thinking instead of mindless slop posted for likes and attention

I totally understand your point most users on twitter, Bluesky, discord, Reddit etc etc aren't in it for monetary gain or incentivised by a tipping system to post. There are other important factors that brings and keeps people there, community, making connections, information sharing/ exchange, 'lolz' etc etc. Yes there is a significant amount growing / attempting to grow their 'brand', and have a review stream (usually via a third party company eg patron, Kofi). This is probably a small percentage, albeit perhaps 'power users' and users who draw in more users for platforms. Zaps is somewhat in it's infancy, perhaps it's been implemented too early and incentivising pandering to the existing crowd -style posting (further cementing a silo-ingnmonotopic environment, but that's another topic lol). Basically what I'm saying is we're just beta testers for a potential tipping system which doesn't entirely make sense at present.

You’re right — you don’t need zaps to post your thoughts. I don’t think many of us post on Nostr because we expect zaps. We do it because we genuinely want to. And you’re also spot on when you say, “Why would I want to read someone’s thoughts if they’re only posting because they’re getting paid?” That’s a key difference between Nostr and centralized platforms. On traditional social media, algorithms push content from people posting because they’re being paid — either directly or through the attention economy. On Nostr, you only see content from people you choose to follow. What makes zapping powerful is the proof-of-work behind it. "Liking" something on centralized platforms is more like a proof-of-stake system — no real energy is transferred, but those with the biggest stake get all the rewards. Zapping is different. When you zap someone on Nostr, you’re literally sending them real digital energy — actual value. It’s a tiny act, but with real weight. I think zapping changes the game. The ability to send monetary value instantly, at virtually no cost, and without asking anyone’s permission — all within a social protocol — is revolutionary. I’m especially excited for when we can require a small fee to call or message someone’s npub. That alone could kill spam. Instead of your attention being monetized by others, people will have to pay you for it. I might be wrong — but I think zapping is a big deal. We just haven’t uncovered all the reasons why yet.

i think that you're thinking like #fiat world. zap stuff you think I'd valuable. post what you want. if people value it then they will zap you. it's not like a money transaction. is in addition to emotes.

Everything has a price. If you started getting 1M sats for every post you made, you'd change your opinion.