Hello: A new social network founded by Orkut's creator

I think we are beyond the point where services can lead with being a social network and succeed. Every service that supports multi-user interaction is a network, and every network that supports personal expression in its interactions is a social network.

A service that is, as this is billed, just a social network, with no clear defining feature or problem it’s solving, is vapid and akin to the dotcom bubble.

I’m finding that “social networks” should be a consequence of a product that solves a real problem, not that product’s raison d’etre. And furthermore, given the data collection/privacy zeitgeist of late, I’m of the belief that a social network developing within your service is a liability.

Why is the privacy policy basically hidden away? https://hello.com/policy/privacy/

I agree as well that protocols would be the answer. I don't believe in it though. There are two very large groups of people who make every attempt in this direction fail. Yes, even things that apparently succeeded already (like email) are always fighting an uphill battle against these two groups.

Group one are the Trumps and Putins. The guys who want to control everything. They always want to centralize everything with themselves standing at the top. Sadly a lot of people with power/money are like that.

Group two are the dont-care folks. The ones that sign up to every next facebook because they don't care if their data is misused. The ones that make jokes about Zuckerberg today, but still use FB. They won't put up with the slightest bit of uncoolness or usability discomfort no matter what harm it does to their freedoms.

Sadly both these groups work very well together. Basically I gave up hope that anything reasonable can be achieved as long as both these exist. There's only the option to join either group and live with what these groups bring with them.

> hello is the first social network built on loves, not likes.

I'm sorry, but this sounds like a joke to me. Loves instead of likes? Is this the first thing you want to say about your born again social network.

> I designed hello to help you connect with people who share your passions.

Sound very much like the “Facebook has always been about helping people make connections” mantra.

So, I guess it's Facebook with loves and mobile app only... Say what you want about Mastodon, but at least it's a real alternative.

> The more interactions your contributions generate, the more likely you will become a persona leader.

> Each milestones, unlock rewards, and add layers of fun to your social connections as you venture through hello.

I thought we wanted to move away from gamified social interaction