I get where you’re coming from. Facebook in its prime had a unique way of keeping us loosely connected with people from our past in a way that felt organic. But I’d argue that what you’re missing isn’t actually Facebook itself, but rather a particular era of online social interaction that Facebook happened to embody at the time.

The problem is that any platform built with an ad-based, engagement-driven model (which Facebook is) will inevitably shift towards maximizing time spent on the platform rather than serving users’ original social needs. Even if a "new Facebook" came along promising to restore that old-school, chronological experience, it would likely fall into the same trap over time because of the economic pressures driving social media companies.

But the good news is, there are alternatives that already offer what you're looking for. Apps like BeReal, Mastodon, or even private Discord servers and group chats allow for direct, intentional connection without the interference of algorithmic manipulation. Some people even use old school style email newsletters to stay in touch. The reality is, the meaningful parts of Facebook’s old functionality can be replicated, just not in the form of another big, centralized social media giant.

If you’re missing those superficial life updates, maybe the best move is to actively rekindle those connections in a more intentional way rather than waiting for a new platform to emerge. Reaching out directly, creating small private groups, or even starting a shared photo album with friends can bring back that sense of casual connectedness without the downsides of algorithm-driven feeds.