New_ Public
@newpublic.org
We’re a nonprofit R&D lab that’s reimagining social media. Join us in building digital public spaces that connect people, embrace pluralism, and build community. newpublic.org
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New_ Public
@newpublic.org
· Dec 1
Introducing Roundabout: a local community web app built to help people live a flourishing life in their local town or neighborhood.
Based on rigorous research and optimized for trust. Built by a nonprofit, for the public.
Find resources, connect with neighbors, celebrate your community.
Based on rigorous research and optimized for trust. Built by a nonprofit, for the public.
Find resources, connect with neighbors, celebrate your community.
We need far more new, independent, and sustainable infrastructure for social media!
Welcome!
Welcome!
Hi Bluesky! We're Modal Foundation, a new nonprofit dedicated to making open social tech viable at scale. We grew out of the @freeourfeeds.com campaign and support @eurosky.social. Our work will connect experts, strategists, builders and communities to create a human-centered internet.
January 12, 2026 at 8:15 PM
We need far more new, independent, and sustainable infrastructure for social media!
Welcome!
Welcome!
Our friends at the @prosocialdesign.bsky.social recently updated the effectiveness of apps for regulating your time spent on social media, like @hankgreen.bsky.social’s Focus Friend, from “tentative” to “convincing” based on new research from Denmark.
www.prosocialdesign.org/library/digi...
www.prosocialdesign.org/library/digi...
January 12, 2026 at 8:11 PM
Our friends at the @prosocialdesign.bsky.social recently updated the effectiveness of apps for regulating your time spent on social media, like @hankgreen.bsky.social’s Focus Friend, from “tentative” to “convincing” based on new research from Denmark.
www.prosocialdesign.org/library/digi...
www.prosocialdesign.org/library/digi...
In the 2010s, too many newsrooms shuttered their comments sections.
But now there’s a mini renaissance happening, according to @benwhitelaw.bsky.social.
He ran the comment section for the Times of London, and learned firsthand about its value (in building community, and revenue!)
But now there’s a mini renaissance happening, according to @benwhitelaw.bsky.social.
He ran the comment section for the Times of London, and learned firsthand about its value (in building community, and revenue!)
💬🗞️ Why newsrooms are taking comments seriously again
Three lessons from running comments at The Times of London
newpublic.substack.com
January 12, 2026 at 3:23 PM
In the 2010s, too many newsrooms shuttered their comments sections.
But now there’s a mini renaissance happening, according to @benwhitelaw.bsky.social.
He ran the comment section for the Times of London, and learned firsthand about its value (in building community, and revenue!)
But now there’s a mini renaissance happening, according to @benwhitelaw.bsky.social.
He ran the comment section for the Times of London, and learned firsthand about its value (in building community, and revenue!)
Reposted by New_ Public
For Ctrl-Alt-Speech, @benwhitelaw.bsky.social and I are putting together a bingo card for 2026 news regarding online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation.
What should we include?
What should we include?
January 8, 2026 at 5:38 PM
For Ctrl-Alt-Speech, @benwhitelaw.bsky.social and I are putting together a bingo card for 2026 news regarding online speech, content moderation, and internet regulation.
What should we include?
What should we include?
Reposted by New_ Public
Big fan of @brihreed.bsky.social's Nieman Lab prediction and the way he unpacks his own changing mindset about social media regulation in the US. Go and read, then fight your way through the other 200+ predictions www.niemanlab.org/2025/12/jour...
Journalists finally break Big Tech’s free-speech spell
"We will realize that tech companies have exploited journalists' greatest weakness: our love of the First Amendment."
www.niemanlab.org
January 9, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Big fan of @brihreed.bsky.social's Nieman Lab prediction and the way he unpacks his own changing mindset about social media regulation in the US. Go and read, then fight your way through the other 200+ predictions www.niemanlab.org/2025/12/jour...
How did Belfast, Cape Town, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo double down on social infrastructure? By creating a network of …
👐 Havens
🌉 Hubs and
🛹 Hangouts
What would that look like online?
www.gehlpeople.com/projects/soc...
👐 Havens
🌉 Hubs and
🛹 Hangouts
What would that look like online?
www.gehlpeople.com/projects/soc...
January 9, 2026 at 4:37 PM
How did Belfast, Cape Town, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo double down on social infrastructure? By creating a network of …
👐 Havens
🌉 Hubs and
🛹 Hangouts
What would that look like online?
www.gehlpeople.com/projects/soc...
👐 Havens
🌉 Hubs and
🛹 Hangouts
What would that look like online?
www.gehlpeople.com/projects/soc...
To reach a healthy social media ecosystem that serves the public, not billionaires, we’re gonna need a lot of new ideas and tools.
Our friends at @metagov.bsky.social have been funding new governance systems that allow for community agency and value community stewards. More is needed!
Our friends at @metagov.bsky.social have been funding new governance systems that allow for community agency and value community stewards. More is needed!
January 8, 2026 at 7:52 PM
To reach a healthy social media ecosystem that serves the public, not billionaires, we’re gonna need a lot of new ideas and tools.
Our friends at @metagov.bsky.social have been funding new governance systems that allow for community agency and value community stewards. More is needed!
Our friends at @metagov.bsky.social have been funding new governance systems that allow for community agency and value community stewards. More is needed!
Reposted by New_ Public
cool to see other technologists getting excited about what we’re building at @newpublic.org !
Technologist/podcaster @rabble.nz calls Roundabout, our new local community app in closed beta, “the Good Place version of Nextdoor.”
In an interview with Bluesky’s @jay.bsky.team, they talk about how New_ Public is moving from research & critique ➡️ building flourishing digital public spaces.
In an interview with Bluesky’s @jay.bsky.team, they talk about how New_ Public is moving from research & critique ➡️ building flourishing digital public spaces.
January 8, 2026 at 4:19 PM
cool to see other technologists getting excited about what we’re building at @newpublic.org !
While AI chatbots are helpful, writes Daniel Barcay for Center for Humane Technology, the more they know about us, the greater target we become for manipulation.
“And when advertising enters this equation, it seems more likely than not that the con artist will overtake the therapist.”
“And when advertising enters this equation, it seems more likely than not that the con artist will overtake the therapist.”
Advertising is Coming to AI. It’s Going to Be a Disaster.
This piece was published in Tech Policy Press on Nov 27, 2025, and has been republished with permission.
centerforhumanetechnology.substack.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:20 PM
While AI chatbots are helpful, writes Daniel Barcay for Center for Humane Technology, the more they know about us, the greater target we become for manipulation.
“And when advertising enters this equation, it seems more likely than not that the con artist will overtake the therapist.”
“And when advertising enters this equation, it seems more likely than not that the con artist will overtake the therapist.”
Technologist/podcaster @rabble.nz calls Roundabout, our new local community app in closed beta, “the Good Place version of Nextdoor.”
In an interview with Bluesky’s @jay.bsky.team, they talk about how New_ Public is moving from research & critique ➡️ building flourishing digital public spaces.
In an interview with Bluesky’s @jay.bsky.team, they talk about how New_ Public is moving from research & critique ➡️ building flourishing digital public spaces.
January 7, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Technologist/podcaster @rabble.nz calls Roundabout, our new local community app in closed beta, “the Good Place version of Nextdoor.”
In an interview with Bluesky’s @jay.bsky.team, they talk about how New_ Public is moving from research & critique ➡️ building flourishing digital public spaces.
In an interview with Bluesky’s @jay.bsky.team, they talk about how New_ Public is moving from research & critique ➡️ building flourishing digital public spaces.
So much great thinking in @niemanlab.org’s 2026 predictions, especially about the role journalism orgs and practitioners play in local media ecosystems around the country.
Here’s a playlist of great pieces:
Here’s a playlist of great pieces:
January 6, 2026 at 4:41 PM
So much great thinking in @niemanlab.org’s 2026 predictions, especially about the role journalism orgs and practitioners play in local media ecosystems around the country.
Here’s a playlist of great pieces:
Here’s a playlist of great pieces:
Reminder: we’re still collecting responses to our annual survey for folks who read our newsletter or follow us on social media.
What feels worth paying attention to? What do you want to know more about? Where should we be directing our focus?
Hint: Don’t comment here, answer the survey :)
What feels worth paying attention to? What do you want to know more about? Where should we be directing our focus?
Hint: Don’t comment here, answer the survey :)
The New_ Public Survey 2025
Tell us about what's important to you: we'd love your opinion on both social media and New_ Public.
newpublic.typeform.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:56 PM
Reminder: we’re still collecting responses to our annual survey for folks who read our newsletter or follow us on social media.
What feels worth paying attention to? What do you want to know more about? Where should we be directing our focus?
Hint: Don’t comment here, answer the survey :)
What feels worth paying attention to? What do you want to know more about? Where should we be directing our focus?
Hint: Don’t comment here, answer the survey :)
Back online after the holidays. Tell us about one of your favorite offline holiday traditions!
Forget the usual considerations (revenue, gamification, etc.) … can you imagine a digital equivalent of that tradition? What would that look like? How would it work?
Forget the usual considerations (revenue, gamification, etc.) … can you imagine a digital equivalent of that tradition? What would that look like? How would it work?
January 5, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Back online after the holidays. Tell us about one of your favorite offline holiday traditions!
Forget the usual considerations (revenue, gamification, etc.) … can you imagine a digital equivalent of that tradition? What would that look like? How would it work?
Forget the usual considerations (revenue, gamification, etc.) … can you imagine a digital equivalent of that tradition? What would that look like? How would it work?
We’re signing off for the rest of the year.
From the whole team at New_ Public, hoping the holidays bring you rest, peace, joy, and light.
From the whole team at New_ Public, hoping the holidays bring you rest, peace, joy, and light.
December 22, 2025 at 7:08 PM
We’re signing off for the rest of the year.
From the whole team at New_ Public, hoping the holidays bring you rest, peace, joy, and light.
From the whole team at New_ Public, hoping the holidays bring you rest, peace, joy, and light.
A year ago, Meta announced they were introducing a new Local tab on Facebook. So where is it?
Your guess is as good as ours, but this fits a pattern: the only features that succeed on Facebook are the ones that boost metrics like “time spent on the app” and increase ad revenue.
Your guess is as good as ours, but this fits a pattern: the only features that succeed on Facebook are the ones that boost metrics like “time spent on the app” and increase ad revenue.
Introducing New Facebook Local Tab, Messenger Communities, AI Integrations and More
We’re testing new Local and Explore tabs that gather content from across Facebook to help you find what you’re interested in, plus we’re introducing an updated Video tab, AI integrations and more.
about.fb.com
December 19, 2025 at 6:09 PM
A year ago, Meta announced they were introducing a new Local tab on Facebook. So where is it?
Your guess is as good as ours, but this fits a pattern: the only features that succeed on Facebook are the ones that boost metrics like “time spent on the app” and increase ad revenue.
Your guess is as good as ours, but this fits a pattern: the only features that succeed on Facebook are the ones that boost metrics like “time spent on the app” and increase ad revenue.
We can’t let the frontier AI labs double down on the business incentives that have ruled social media.
New_ Public Co-Director @deeptidoshi.bsky.social writes that AI companions have the potential to trap us in a “synthetic intimacy” doom loop. However:
New_ Public Co-Director @deeptidoshi.bsky.social writes that AI companions have the potential to trap us in a “synthetic intimacy” doom loop. However:
December 19, 2025 at 2:54 PM
We can’t let the frontier AI labs double down on the business incentives that have ruled social media.
New_ Public Co-Director @deeptidoshi.bsky.social writes that AI companions have the potential to trap us in a “synthetic intimacy” doom loop. However:
New_ Public Co-Director @deeptidoshi.bsky.social writes that AI companions have the potential to trap us in a “synthetic intimacy” doom loop. However:
The Resonant Computing Manifesto authors, including @komorama.bsky.social and @mmasnick.bsky.social, want to encourage technology that brings out the best in us, feels human, and resonates with our deeper values.
resonantcomputing.org
resonantcomputing.org
December 18, 2025 at 6:30 PM
The Resonant Computing Manifesto authors, including @komorama.bsky.social and @mmasnick.bsky.social, want to encourage technology that brings out the best in us, feels human, and resonates with our deeper values.
resonantcomputing.org
resonantcomputing.org
Is this an inflection point for algorithmic choice on social media?
Threads, TikTok, Instagram, and Bluesky are all experimenting with features that allow users to fine tune their feeds, based on interests.
Experts and users are demanding “good defaults, visible controls, and meaningful choices”
Threads, TikTok, Instagram, and Bluesky are all experimenting with features that allow users to fine tune their feeds, based on interests.
Experts and users are demanding “good defaults, visible controls, and meaningful choices”
What would you tell your algorithm (if it listened)?
With experiments underway and regulatory mandates emerging, users may get more say in their feeds.
techandsocialcohesion.substack.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Is this an inflection point for algorithmic choice on social media?
Threads, TikTok, Instagram, and Bluesky are all experimenting with features that allow users to fine tune their feeds, based on interests.
Experts and users are demanding “good defaults, visible controls, and meaningful choices”
Threads, TikTok, Instagram, and Bluesky are all experimenting with features that allow users to fine tune their feeds, based on interests.
Experts and users are demanding “good defaults, visible controls, and meaningful choices”
Let’s talk about one of the most fundamental aspects of social media: ad incentives.
Nothing on social media is by accident. Everything from the “someone liked your post” notification to the algorithms pushing polarizing posts is there to juice engagement, growth, and profit.
Here’s how it works:
Nothing on social media is by accident. Everything from the “someone liked your post” notification to the algorithms pushing polarizing posts is there to juice engagement, growth, and profit.
Here’s how it works:
December 17, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Let’s talk about one of the most fundamental aspects of social media: ad incentives.
Nothing on social media is by accident. Everything from the “someone liked your post” notification to the algorithms pushing polarizing posts is there to juice engagement, growth, and profit.
Here’s how it works:
Nothing on social media is by accident. Everything from the “someone liked your post” notification to the algorithms pushing polarizing posts is there to juice engagement, growth, and profit.
Here’s how it works:
Reposted by New_ Public
CME's @taliastroud.bsky.social discusses new research in collaboration with @newpublic.org that looks at which local digital spaces people use, how they use and view them, and how they feel about their community. Check out the discussion:
The Local Connection Crisis: New Data on What Communities Need
Now we know what we've long suspected: People really use and rely on their local Facebook groups, Nextdoor neighborhoods, and WhatsApp group chats, but they want so much more from them.
Talia Stroud, social media researcher and New_ Public Co-Founder, presents a new nationwide poll results on how
www.youtube.com
December 17, 2025 at 2:45 PM
CME's @taliastroud.bsky.social discusses new research in collaboration with @newpublic.org that looks at which local digital spaces people use, how they use and view them, and how they feel about their community. Check out the discussion:
If you’re interested in the future of the internet, you need to know about MCP — the protocol that may become the way AI agents interface with apps, tools, and information.
Donating MCP to Linux and building a neutral foundation around it, could lead to widespread adoption.
archive.is/WNyFG
Donating MCP to Linux and building a neutral foundation around it, could lead to widespread adoption.
archive.is/WNyFG
December 17, 2025 at 2:14 PM
If you’re interested in the future of the internet, you need to know about MCP — the protocol that may become the way AI agents interface with apps, tools, and information.
Donating MCP to Linux and building a neutral foundation around it, could lead to widespread adoption.
archive.is/WNyFG
Donating MCP to Linux and building a neutral foundation around it, could lead to widespread adoption.
archive.is/WNyFG
With Roundabout, our new local community app, we’re reimagining a lot of familiar surfaces and features of “social media.”
Here’s how Roundabout is different:
Let’s dive in! 🧵
Here’s how Roundabout is different:
Let’s dive in! 🧵
December 16, 2025 at 2:49 PM
With Roundabout, our new local community app, we’re reimagining a lot of familiar surfaces and features of “social media.”
Here’s how Roundabout is different:
Let’s dive in! 🧵
Here’s how Roundabout is different:
Let’s dive in! 🧵
Doesn’t it always come down to this?
There are good people working at Big Tech social media companies, and they mean well.
But because of the underlying incentives, nothing is ever allowed to get in the way of profit and growth.
time.com/7336204/meta...
There are good people working at Big Tech social media companies, and they mean well.
But because of the underlying incentives, nothing is ever allowed to get in the way of profit and growth.
time.com/7336204/meta...
December 15, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Doesn’t it always come down to this?
There are good people working at Big Tech social media companies, and they mean well.
But because of the underlying incentives, nothing is ever allowed to get in the way of profit and growth.
time.com/7336204/meta...
There are good people working at Big Tech social media companies, and they mean well.
But because of the underlying incentives, nothing is ever allowed to get in the way of profit and growth.
time.com/7336204/meta...
New_ Public Co-Director @deeptidoshi.bsky.social writes about the underlying incentives that have warped social media towards the twin evils of extraction and surveillance.
To have any hope of building a more prosocial and public-spirited internet, we need new business models.
To have any hope of building a more prosocial and public-spirited internet, we need new business models.
👊💰 We need a revolution in social media business models
Deepti Doshi on the business incentives underlying social media
newpublic.substack.com
December 15, 2025 at 2:36 PM
New_ Public Co-Director @deeptidoshi.bsky.social writes about the underlying incentives that have warped social media towards the twin evils of extraction and surveillance.
To have any hope of building a more prosocial and public-spirited internet, we need new business models.
To have any hope of building a more prosocial and public-spirited internet, we need new business models.
Reposted by New_ Public
Amazing to see New_Public roll out the first look at their new app. Thoughtful design for healthier digital public spaces isn’t just an idea, they're actually building it!. Big moment, and excited to see what this unlocks next!
Introducing Roundabout: a local community web app built to help people live a flourishing life in their local town or neighborhood.
Based on rigorous research and optimized for trust. Built by a nonprofit, for the public.
Find resources, connect with neighbors, celebrate your community.
Based on rigorous research and optimized for trust. Built by a nonprofit, for the public.
Find resources, connect with neighbors, celebrate your community.
December 12, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Amazing to see New_Public roll out the first look at their new app. Thoughtful design for healthier digital public spaces isn’t just an idea, they're actually building it!. Big moment, and excited to see what this unlocks next!