What's Missing in Social Media?

Question

hi hn!I've worked at some social companies in the past (IG and Snap) and I'm curious as to what the next big social media platform might look like.It seems to me that social media has already gone through several phases:- Text-based platforms like early forums and blogs.- Image-centric networks like Instagram and Snapchat.- Video-focused apps like TikTok and YouTube (Shorts).- Community-driven spaces like Reddit and Discord.Each iteration brought its own unique spin on connecting people and fostering communities. I'm curious as to what the hn community thinks what the next form of interaction would be, or what form of interaction do they feel is missing in their life?I personally feel that we're missing a form of "authentic sharing". There's a couple of platforms / apps that are trying to solve this problem (IG Stories, BeReal, Poparazzi - before it shut down). People want to connect with others in an authentic, un-filtered, un-staged way and I don't think there's a platform that encourages / enforces that.But I'm also interested in what you guys think!

mtmail · Accepted Answer

I wonder if https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beme_(app) was too early and could work again. It was super short videos with no editing or post-filtering possible.

arexxbifs · Answer

> What's Missing in Social Media?Most of all, privacy.> authentic, un-filtered, un-stagedThat's what the net was like _before_ "social media" companies. IRC, Usenet, smallish web forums. You can't astroturf that kind of spontaneity from a VC startup.

sfmz · Answer

My dream network is like reddit, but no upvotes, downvotes, mods. You ask a question and somebody answers it in a 1-on-1 chat. 1-on-1 human connection -- no pandering to the crowd. If you get along, then you can get added to a friend-list and then chat like on ICQ. Possibly it could prioritize people in your neighborhood, so maybe you can connect with someone nearby.