Last year, I found myself unplugging from the world of social media entirely. I bid farewell to Facebook, deactivated Instagram, and turned my back on Twitter. It was a liberating, yet revealing experience.
For years, social networks have been my digital stomping grounds, from the earliest days of Friendster and Myspace, to the short-lived Pownce and Google Plus. Posting and sharing have been more than just routine; they've been a passion. I've always enjoyed sharing glimpses of my life - the places I've been, the things that have inspired me, my thoughts and musings, and yes, even adorable cat pictures.
However, over time, the focus shifted. Instead of meaningful exchanges and genuine connections, social media became a numbers game. Likes, shares, comments - these abstract metrics started to overshadow the joy of sharing. It became about chasing the klout, and in the process, the essence of social media was lost to me.
The algorithms, too, became increasingly intrusive. I found myself scrolling through posts and users that an AI thought I might like, rather than content from the people and interests I had chosen to follow. The freedom to consume the content I wanted was gradually fading away. In a sense, it felt like I was losing control over my own social media experience.
And then there were the issues of user trust and content preservation. It's unsettling how some platforms can flip their policies at the drop of a hat, potentially alienating the very users who helped fuel their success. Or how a service can shut down overnight, consigning years' worth of shared content into digital oblivion.
All these challenges left me yearning for a platform that didn't exist. So, I decided to build one. Welcome to the early stages of Boredable.
Boredable is envisioned as a centralized social media platform that draws inspiration from the best features of previous platforms while incorporating modern safety and moderation tools. My intent is to build a space that prioritizes users and their content, without the pressures of engagement metrics or overbearing algorithms. A place that lets you be you.
Above all, Boredable is committed to maintaining its users' trust. It will remain accessible to everyone and will encourage users to build on top of its API for innovative apps and creations. Growth won't mean turning our backs on our users. Our principles will guide us, even in the face of success.
To ensure that Boredable stays true to its mission, I have outlined a few key principles:
- Ownership: You own the content you publish.
- Privacy: Your privacy is paramount. Stay anonymous or become verified. Be who you want.
- Content Freedom: NSFW content, as long as it's legal, is allowed.
- Responsible Tech: Boredable will resist supporting tech trends like NFTs that are harmful to our environment until they prove practical and eco-friendly.
- Data Privacy: Boredable will only ever collect data you allow, nothing more.
- Openness: The platform will always be accessible, encouraging users to build new and fun apps on top of its API.
Boredable is my response to a social media landscape that's strayed from what it should be: a place to freely share, connect, and enjoy the creativity of others without compromising your privacy or the authenticity of your interactions.
While I have completed the initial MVP build of Boredable, it is still in early development. Join me as I develop Boredable into a social media platform that respects and prioritizes its users. I look forward to sharing this journey with you!
