latrodectusmactans

Hello Steve! Thank you for doing this AMA!

My interpretation of the NF concept of "the empire" has always been the aspects of society's awareness of bodies that are driven by capitalistic greed-- the Empire wants you unhealthy and miserable so it can sell you snake oil to "fix" your problems, and they want to keep you just motivated enough for change that they can sell you stuff, but not so motivated that you actually start to achieve your goals.

A lot of the "health and fitness' industry right now is indisputably a part of the Empire-- big-box gyms like Planet Fitness that intentionally try to keep you away from the gym http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2014/12/17/371463435/episode-590-the-planet-money-workout , photoshopped Instagram "fitness models," PTs who care more about keeping you as a paying client than actually teaching you how to work out, etc.

We in the Nerd Fitness Rebellion are now in a phase of development which, historically, tends to be a dangerous time for any Rebellion: where you, and a few other people, are making a living off of Nerd Fitness. In theory, this is awesome, but in practice, it has to be handled very carefully, as I'm sure you know! What are you plans for ensuring that Nerd Fitness doesn't become just another way to spend money on e-products and remains a place where even people who don't want to or can't buy anything are able to level up their lives? What are your personal metrics as to what constitutes going over to the Dark Side, and how do you plan to avoid it?

Thanks!

Thanks for the reply! I agree that a lot of people do need to put money into something to fully commit to it, and that money can do great work when put to use to create more cool stuff.

In terms of complaints about selling out, I think it would be useful for people to have an idea of what's coming for various parts of the site, since there are now several different portals to various NF parts of the internet. It would be great if there was a master post with links outlining:

• Portions that are free and will always be free (I assume the forum and character creation are in this category? A guarantee would probably be reassuring for people)
• Portions that are paid, and what they payments are
• New portions that are planned, and what category they will fall into

Thanks!