Source: The Verge
Summary
The Verge reports on new social apps that offer alternatives to traditional Big Tech feeds. These apps focus on interests, creativity, and community, aiming to provide a different experience for users. According to the article, apps like Gas, BeReal, and Discord are gaining popularity among younger generations. The apps prioritize features like non-chronological feeds, community-driven moderation, and creative tools.
Our Reading
The launch follows a familiar script.
New social apps are here to “disrupt” the status quo with features that sound eerily familiar. Gas and BeReal offer “non-chronological feeds” – because what’s old is new again. Discord, meanwhile, is still trying to be the cool, community-driven alternative. And by “alternative,” we mean “slightly different flavor of the same thing.”
Author: Evan Null
Same Old, Same Old
It’s not like we haven’t seen this before. Remember when Instagram introduced its non-chronological feed, and everyone lost their minds? Yeah, that was a “revolutionary” feature too.
“New” Features
Gas and BeReal are touting their non-chronological feeds as a major innovation. Spoiler alert: it’s not. It’s just a rehashed version of what we’ve already seen.
Community-Driven Moderation
Discord is still clinging to its community-driven moderation model as a major selling point. Because, you know, that’s worked out so well for every other platform that’s tried it.
Creative Tools
The article mentions that these new apps are offering creative tools to attract users. Yay, more photo filters and editing options. Just what we needed.
The More Things Change…
Despite the hype, these new social apps are just rebranding the same old ideas. It’s like they’re trying to convince us that the emperor’s new clothes are actually, really, truly new this time.
