Recently, the hype around "traffic washing" has exploded again. I want to use this topic to discuss something more important:

In Web3, you really need to practice not being swayed by any voice about what you should do.

Every time terms like "Blue V mutual follow," "mouth-lapping," or "traffic washing" appear, someone will inevitably jump out and stand on a high ground to say:

"You're doing this wrong," "Very low-level," "Damages your reputation," "Lacks vision," "Unprofessional."

Don't rush to rebut or prove yourself right.

I suggest you do one very practical thing: categorize the information you see into four types: facts, opinions, promises, and expectations.

If you can distinguish these, your judgment will be much more accurate, and you'll be less easily led.

1) Facts: What exactly happened
Facts are "verifiable descriptions," without emotion.

For example:
- Some people have indeed earned revenue through replies, mutual follows, and traffic diversion.
- Some are very aggressive, building matrices, automating, scaling to the max.
- Some only do a little, earning a few hundred dollars before stopping.
- The rules and reward structures of platforms/projects are designed to induce such behaviors.
- These are all just facts.

You might find it ugly or normal, but that's a deeper layer. Many people argue for a long time without even aligning on facts:

Some talk about "Is this legal," some about "Is this decent," some about "Can I survive doing this." They’re not even discussing the same thing.

2) Opinions: "How I see it," not "The truth of the world"

Statements like "Doing this is a waste," "No big picture," "Web3 people shouldn't do this," "Shameful" are all opinions.

Characteristics of opinions:
- They seem like facts but are not. Because behind them is a person's value hierarchy, for example:

- They think reputation is more important than money
- They think long-term is more important than short-term
- They think maintaining their circle identity is necessary
- They think scale equals capability

Once you understand this, you'll realize:
- You don't need to be bound by their opinions.
- Just ask yourself: Do I agree with their value hierarchy?
- If not, let it go. Don't argue.

3) Promises: What are you willing to pay for doing this

This is the most crucial layer and also the one most people don't clarify.

Similarly, with "traffic washing," different people make different promises:
- Some promise, "I'll just chase quick money, I accept the path might die at any time."
- Others promise, "I'm willing to exchange reputation for cash flow."
- Some promise, "I'm willing to invest time in automation and scaling to enjoy the rules' redemptive benefits."
- Others promise, "I won't touch it; I prefer to go slower because I care more about long-term credit."

Promises are not about high or low; they determine whether you'll regret it.

Many say "I'm just trying it out," but secretly think "I want to make money."

When criticized, banned, or when platform rules change, they start feeling wronged:
"Why target me?"

Because you never clearly stated your promise from the start. You're just gambling, and losing that gamble will hurt.

So, practice asking yourself:
- Why am I doing this?
- What's the worst-case scenario?
- Can I accept it?

If you can accept it, go ahead. If not, don't do it.

Don't start doing something halfway and simultaneously expect "money," "reputation," "zero risk," and "everyone's understanding."

4) Expectations: How you want others to treat you
Expectations are the easiest way to get emotionally triggered.

Many people are actually hoping:
- "I make money, but don't talk about me."
- "I haven't harmed anyone, so I deserve respect."
- "I'm working hard, so you should understand me."
- "I want results and a good reputation."

But the reality is: Others are not obligated to meet your expectations.

You can hope, but don't treat hope as something owed.
Web3 is even more like this: cycles, narratives, rules, group emotions, all change at any time.

If you rely on "external validation" to maintain your mindset, you'll be played to death.
So, how do you avoid being influenced?

It's simple: every time you're led astray, pause, and ask these four questions in order:
- What are the facts? (What exactly did I see/hear?)
- Whose opinion is this? (Why do they see it that way?)
- What promise am I making? (What consequences am I willing to bear?)
- Am I expecting others to give me something? (Is this expectation reasonable?)

If you do this, you'll be much less likely to be led by "moral judgment from the high ground."

In Web3, you can choose to chase quick money or pursue long-term growth. You can choose to be reputable or prioritize efficiency. All are fine.

The problem is: you haven't figured out what you want, but you're disturbed by others' opinions and your own expectations, then start wavering, internal conflict, and breaking down.