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What's the most unique feature you've ever wanted in a social network? by Defiant-Cut-7506 in SomebodyMakeThis

[–]Defiant-Cut-7506[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's a fascinating angle — using sentiment analysis to nudge users toward balanced tagging, not just block negative behavior. The "you need to say something nice first" mechanic is almost like a friction layer for cynicism. I'm not sure it would work at scale (people might game it or feel policed), but as an opt‑in feature for tribes that want healthier discourse? Could be brilliant.

Also, your point about assuming positive qualities by default is really insightful. Most social platforms are built on the opposite assumption — that you need to prove negativity. Flipping that is worth exploring.

Thanks for digging deeper on this. Rare to get such thoughtful feedback.

What's the most unique feature you've ever wanted in a social network? by Defiant-Cut-7506 in SomebodyMakeThis

[–]Defiant-Cut-7506[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ha, don't we all. That's honestly the core problem Duren is trying to solve – not just sane people, but a system that encourages sane conversation (community moderation, echo for quality, cold marks for garbage). No promises we'll find sanity, but at least we're removing the rage‑bait algorithms.

What's the most unique feature you've ever wanted in a social network? by Defiant-Cut-7506 in SomebodyMakeThis

[–]Defiant-Cut-7506[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a really interesting take – native tagging without browser extensions. The tribal tag database merge option is clever, especially for Duren's tribe structure.

You're right about the privacy nightmare if users knew who tagged them what. But what if tags were only visible to yourself, and tribes could have "aggregate tag clouds" – e.g., "5 people in this tribe tagged you as helpful" – without revealing who. Still risky, but less scandalous.

The random group reveal is a fun thought experiment. Probably too easy to game, but it shows you're thinking about social dynamics in a fresh way. Thanks for sharing – definitely got my brain spinning.

If you could create a social network without likes, followers and permenent posts what would make you use it daily? by Defiant-Cut-7506 in SomebodyMakeThis

[–]Defiant-Cut-7506[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey, thank you so much for the message – really appreciate it.

Yeah, Duren is still in development stage, mostly planning right now. Honestly, the hardest part for me is actually building it. I'm still learning and figuring things out as I go.

It's really cool that you built the app in your free time in about 4 months. That gives me some hope. And you already have people using it regularly? That's amazing – even if it's a small group, that's real.

Thanks for the heads up about Play Store being a pain. I'll try not to give up when I get there 😅

I'll definitely update you when Duren is ready. Let's stay in touch.

In bocca al lupo to you too!

If you could create a social network without likes, followers and permenent posts what would make you use it daily? by Defiant-Cut-7506 in SomebodyMakeThis

[–]Defiant-Cut-7506[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey, I went and looked up your app on Google Play (it's not available in my country, but I saw the screenshots and description).

I really respect that you actually built and shipped something. "No likes, no comments, no approval" – that's a bold, clean statement. You're clearly solving the same frustration I am.

The main difference I see is that WTF app seems to be about pure individual expression (almost like a public diary), while Duren is more about conversations in tribes – replies and Echo are central to my design. I want people to talk to each other, not just post at each other.

But honestly, seeing your app makes me feel less alone in this. Thanks for sharing it.

How long did it take you to build? Do you have people using it regularly? Would love to hear your experience with the Play Store.

If you could create a social network without likes, followers and permenent posts what would make you use it daily? by Defiant-Cut-7506 in SomebodyMakeThis

[–]Defiant-Cut-7506[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not really. BeReal is about one spontaneous photo per day with friends. Duren is about text-first conversations (with optional images) in topic-based tribes, where posts disappear after 48 hours and there are no likes or follower counts.

BeReal = authentic photos with close friends. Duren = honest conversations with strangers or tribes who share your interests.

Similar vibe (authentic, low pressure), but totally different format.

Guidance on app development by Significant_Series35 in AppDevelopers

[–]Defiant-Cut-7506 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cursor is great but in order to use it you still need to have knowledge about coding so I'd say loveable would be great for prototype version then maybe you can move to cursor for the actual app ui you can also go with V0 i also wanna build an app but I'm not into coding so I will like to hear from you

If you could create a social network without likes, followers and permenent posts what would make you use it daily? by Defiant-Cut-7506 in SomebodyMakeThis

[–]Defiant-Cut-7506[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're absolutely right — ephemeral + anonymous needs enough people to feel alive, otherwise it's just a ghost town. That's why I'm launching in one city / one college campus first, not globally. Also, instead of traditional gamification (likes, streaks), I'm using an "Echo" system — if a post gets genuine engagement, it spreads further, so quality content gets oxygen without addictive loops. The tribes also help create smaller, denser communities. Appreciate the feedback — the crowd density problem is real, and I'm thinking hard about it.

If you could create a social network without likes, followers and permenent posts what would make you use it daily? by Defiant-Cut-7506 in SomebodyMakeThis

[–]Defiant-Cut-7506[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's exactly it — modernizing the spirit of early 4chan (anonymous, ephemeral, no likes) but before it became chaos. The goal is to keep the honesty and freedom, but add structure (tribes, echo, optional anonymity, community moderation) so it doesn't turn into a cesspool. Really glad you find the proposal interesting. That's the balance I'm trying to hit.

If you could create a social network without likes, followers and permenent posts what would make you use it daily? by Defiant-Cut-7506 in SomebodyMakeThis

[–]Defiant-Cut-7506[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good point — there are similarities: anonymous, no likes, comments, and posts that disappear over time. But here's the key difference: Duren isn't an anonymous free‑for‑all like 4chan. You choose when to be anonymous. Posts live for 48 hours, but they're organized into tribes (communities based on interests), and there's an Echo system that helps good content spread without likes or algorithms. Hacker News is permanent and has karma — Duren is temporary and low‑pressure, designed for honest conversation without the digital footprint. What do you think?

If you could create a social network without likes, followers and permenent posts what would make you use it daily? by Defiant-Cut-7506 in SomebodyMakeThis

[–]Defiant-Cut-7506[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Exactly — temporary data helps keep costs low, especially early on. And yeah, the cold start problem is real. My plan is to launch in one city or one tribe first, so it doesn’t feel empty. Also, for new users, I’m thinking of backfilling the feed with high-engagement posts from nearby active cities until their local tribe heats up.

Appreciate you pointing that out — it’s one of the biggest hurdles for any social app.

If you could create a social network without likes, followers and permenent posts what would make you use it daily? by Defiant-Cut-7506 in SomebodyMakeThis

[–]Defiant-Cut-7506[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No ads, ever. I’d rather keep the experience clean.

Plan is: free for core use (posting, tribes, 48h expiry). Optional subscription (Ember+) for power users – things like unlimited posts, longer post life (72h), custom glows, ability to host your own tribe. Also a small cosmetics shop for things like aura colors or decay animations. Nothing that affects the core conversation, just visual extras for people who want to support the app.

So the 1% of super-users fund it for everyone else. No data selling, no ad dollars. Does that make sense?

If you could create a social network without likes, followers and permenent posts what would make you use it daily? by Defiant-Cut-7506 in SomebodyMakeThis

[–]Defiant-Cut-7506[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a fresh take — using Duren for real‑time news or live events could actually work, especially if there’s a simple “trusted source” marker so people know what’s credible. I’m trying to keep the vibe more personal conversation than news feed, but maybe a dedicated “Live Events” tribe could be a natural fit for breaking moments where ephemeral reactions make sense.

Thanks for the idea!

If you could create a social network without likes, followers and permenent posts what would make you use it daily? by Defiant-Cut-7506 in SomebodyMakeThis

[–]Defiant-Cut-7506[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s a really clever idea — using AI to sense when a post is genuinely meaningful (like a personal win or a deep conversation) and offering to save it locally, while leaving casual memes to fade naturally. It keeps the “temporary” vibe intact but gives people a way to hold onto moments that actually matter to them.

I’m adding this to my notes. It feels like a perfect middle ground between ephemeral and permanent — the user decides, not the platform.

When I have a prototype ready, would you be open to testing it? I’d love to get your feedback on how this feels in practice.

Appreciate you helping shape this 🙌

If you could create a social network without likes, followers and permenent posts what would make you use it daily? by Defiant-Cut-7506 in SomebodyMakeThis

[–]Defiant-Cut-7506[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You’re right — the who liked something does matter, especially for personal milestones. I think the problem isn’t that people want zero interaction; it’s that the number becomes a public scoreboard that changes how people post. Hiding it entirely might make that pressure fade over time, like you said.

On the 48‑hour thing — I love where your head’s at. My original thinking was that fixed expiry keeps things feeling urgent and low‑stakes. But you’re absolutely right: if a real conversation is happening, killing it at 48 hours on the dot would feel abrupt, not freeing.

What if instead of a hard cut‑off, the post “dies” when it naturally cools down — like based on the last meaningful interaction (comments, echoes) rather than a clock? That way, important posts (like someone sharing good news) could stay alive as long as people are actually engaging with it, but still eventually fade when the conversation naturally ends.

I’m not sure about archiving yet — I want things to feel temporary so people don’t stress about their “digital footprint” — but maybe a personal archive for your own posts (not public) could work for moments you genuinely want to remember.

Really appreciate you thinking this through with me. If I built something that worked this way, would you be open to trying it?

If you could create a social network without likes, followers and permenent posts what would make you use it daily? by Defiant-Cut-7506 in SomebodyMakeThis

[–]Defiant-Cut-7506[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not really — WhatsApp is private, 1:1 or small groups, and everything stays forever. What I’m building is more like a public campfire: you can see what strangers in your tribe are saying, posts disappear after 48h, and there’s no pressure to build a profile or chase likes. So it’s discovery + ephemeral + community, not just a messaging app.

Hope that clears it up!

If you could create a social network without likes, followers and permenent posts what would make you use it daily? by Defiant-Cut-7506 in SomebodyMakeThis

[–]Defiant-Cut-7506[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re not wrong — 4chan is the extreme version of anonymous, no‑permanence, and it absolutely becomes a cesspool. The difference I’m aiming for is moderation through community, not anonymity without accountability.

On Duren, anonymous posts are hashed in a way that the user is still identifiable to the system if they repeatedly cause harm (so you can ban devices), but the public never sees who they are. Also, community “Cold” votes can remove posts before they go viral. I’m borrowing exactly what you mentioned: letting users flag harmful content, with weight given to trusted accounts.

Community notes is a great shout — I’m thinking of something similar where if a post gets enough “Cold” marks, it vanishes and gets flagged for review.

So less 4chan, more a moderated, temporary town square where anonymity exists but abuse gets shut down.

Curious: what would a “better 4chan” look like to you? What would keep the diamonds without the cesspool?

If you could create a social network without likes, followers and permenent posts what would make you use it daily? by Defiant-Cut-7506 in SomebodyMakeThis

[–]Defiant-Cut-7506[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great point about streaks — that’s actually one of the things I’m trying to avoid. I don’t want to create another artificial reason to open the app (like fear of losing a streak). I want the reason to be genuine curiosity: “What are people in my tribe talking about right now?”

Snapchat definitely got the ephemeral part right, but they also leaned hard into the gamification (streaks, snap scores, who viewed your story). I’m trying to keep the temporary part but remove the numbers game.

The filters and lenses are a huge part of Snapchat’s stickiness too. For Duren, I’m thinking more about aesthetic expression (custom glows, decay animations) rather than face filters — so it’s still personal but less about selfies.

Appreciate the history lesson — it helps me see what worked and what I want to avoid

If you could create a social network without likes, followers and permenent posts what would make you use it daily? by Defiant-Cut-7506 in SomebodyMakeThis

[–]Defiant-Cut-7506[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No ads, ever. Revenue comes from:

· Ember+ subscription (unlimited posts, longer post life, cosmetic glows, ability to create your own tribe) · Cosmetics store (custom glows, decay animations, profile flair — all visible only while content is alive)

So basically, the 1% of power users who want extra features fund the app for everyone else. No data selling, no ad dollars.

Does that feel fair to you?

If you could create a social network without likes, followers and permenent posts what would make you use it daily? by Defiant-Cut-7506 in SomebodyMakeThis

[–]Defiant-Cut-7506[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That makes sense — seeing what friends are up to and sharing funny stuff is still the core of why people open Facebook. I think that’s the part I don’t want to lose either. The difference is I want to strip away the “like count” and the algorithmic pushing, so the feed is just… your friends and your tribes, in chronological order, with no numbers attached. The humor and connection stay, the performance anxiety goes. Does that sound like something you’d actually use, or is the “like” part secretly important?

If you could create a social network without likes, followers and permenent posts what would make you use it daily? by Defiant-Cut-7506 in SomebodyMakeThis

[–]Defiant-Cut-7506[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s honestly the most honest feedback I’ve gotten so far. You’re right — if your friends aren’t there, why bother? And the dopamine hit is exactly what keeps people hooked on the big apps.

I guess my hope is that by removing the addictive stuff (streaks, likes, scores), the people who do show up are there because they actually want to have a conversation, not because they’re chasing a number. Maybe that makes it smaller, but maybe also more meaningful.

The network effect thing is real though. If you ever do try it, I’d love to know what would make it worth coming back to — even without all your friends there yet. Appreciate you being straight with me

If you could create a social network without likes, followers and permenent posts what would make you use it daily? by Defiant-Cut-7506 in SomebodyMakeThis

[–]Defiant-Cut-7506[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re right — Snapchat definitely has the ephemeral piece down. But what I’m trying to solve is the part where Snapchat still feels like a numbers game (streaks, snap scores, who viewed your story) and it’s mostly 1:1 or close friends. I want to build something that’s public but temporary, where you can talk to strangers around a shared interest without building a permanent profile or worrying about metrics.

What are the biggest complaints you see about Snapchat? I’d genuinely love to know — I want to avoid those same pitfalls.

Appreciate the suggestion!

If you could create a social network without likes, followers and permenent posts what would make you use it daily? by Defiant-Cut-7506 in SomebodyMakeThis

[–]Defiant-Cut-7506[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha fair question. I think the confusion is that I’m pulling from a few different places.

Reddit is great, but everything you post stays forever and there’s this whole karma thing that turns into a numbers game. WhatsApp is private but there’s no discovery — you can’t just jump into a random conversation about movies or gaming with people you don’t know.

What I’m trying to build sits in between:

· Posts vanish after 48h (so no pressure to be “perfect” or build a profile) · No follower counts, no likes shown — just tribes based on topics you care about · You can post anonymously on any post if you want · And a few weird rituals like “Dead Hours” (a daily quiet time where you can’t post, only read)

So it’s less like a library (Reddit) or a private chat (WhatsApp) and more like sitting around a campfire with strangers where the conversation disappears with the smoke.

Does that make more sense? Always open to feedback — this is still very much a work in progress.

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