New_ Public
@newpublic.org
New_ Public is a nonprofit product studio focused on reimagining community, connection, and conversation online. 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.
What brought you to the internet? Before the algorithm, before AI brainrot, it was probably a desire to connect and be seen.
Journalist @jessicafurseth.bsky.social shows us that human connection persists in the comments sections of YouTube’s longest, oldest, anti-algorithmic videos.
Journalist @jessicafurseth.bsky.social shows us that human connection persists in the comments sections of YouTube’s longest, oldest, anti-algorithmic videos.
👀🌷📼 Something beautiful is happening with old YouTube videos
Ten hours of rain sounds has 9 million views and the comments will make you cry
newpublic.substack.com
February 9, 2026 at 4:58 PM
What brought you to the internet? Before the algorithm, before AI brainrot, it was probably a desire to connect and be seen.
Journalist @jessicafurseth.bsky.social shows us that human connection persists in the comments sections of YouTube’s longest, oldest, anti-algorithmic videos.
Journalist @jessicafurseth.bsky.social shows us that human connection persists in the comments sections of YouTube’s longest, oldest, anti-algorithmic videos.
Yes, we need rules to regulate social media, but new rules on old, Big Tech platforms can only go so far.
We need new platforms, new infrastructure, and a lot of ingenuity to make something better.
joinroundabout.com
We need new platforms, new infrastructure, and a lot of ingenuity to make something better.
joinroundabout.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Yes, we need rules to regulate social media, but new rules on old, Big Tech platforms can only go so far.
We need new platforms, new infrastructure, and a lot of ingenuity to make something better.
joinroundabout.com
We need new platforms, new infrastructure, and a lot of ingenuity to make something better.
joinroundabout.com
Take a nice 15-min detour through the indie web:
A tour of the indie web
YouTube video by New_ Public
www.youtube.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:36 PM
Take a nice 15-min detour through the indie web:
What kind of an internet is possible outside of Big Tech’s profit incentives and surveillance?
For journalist and editor @chezpanique.bsky.social, it would look a little weirder (cyberpunk computer games, anyone?) and a bit more hand-drawn and creative.
For journalist and editor @chezpanique.bsky.social, it would look a little weirder (cyberpunk computer games, anyone?) and a bit more hand-drawn and creative.
February 5, 2026 at 4:36 PM
What kind of an internet is possible outside of Big Tech’s profit incentives and surveillance?
For journalist and editor @chezpanique.bsky.social, it would look a little weirder (cyberpunk computer games, anyone?) and a bit more hand-drawn and creative.
For journalist and editor @chezpanique.bsky.social, it would look a little weirder (cyberpunk computer games, anyone?) and a bit more hand-drawn and creative.
An interesting question, but not exactly what this study is looking at, I'm afraid.
February 4, 2026 at 5:57 PM
An interesting question, but not exactly what this study is looking at, I'm afraid.
Americans drastically overestimate how many people are posting toxic content.
When shown that only about 3-7% of Redditors post hateful or aggressive comments, participants think better of their fellow posters.
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
When shown that only about 3-7% of Redditors post hateful or aggressive comments, participants think better of their fellow posters.
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
February 4, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Americans drastically overestimate how many people are posting toxic content.
When shown that only about 3-7% of Redditors post hateful or aggressive comments, participants think better of their fellow posters.
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
When shown that only about 3-7% of Redditors post hateful or aggressive comments, participants think better of their fellow posters.
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
When writer and tech entrepreneur @anildash.com first heard about Wikipedia, his reaction was:
“Well… good luck to those guys.”
That was 25 years ago. Now, he recognizes Wikipedia’s unbelievable collective generosity and reflects on how it’s adapted to each new era of the internet.
“Well… good luck to those guys.”
That was 25 years ago. Now, he recognizes Wikipedia’s unbelievable collective generosity and reflects on how it’s adapted to each new era of the internet.
Wikipedia at 25: What the web can be - Anil Dash
A blog about making culture. Since 1999.
www.anildash.com
February 3, 2026 at 7:54 PM
When writer and tech entrepreneur @anildash.com first heard about Wikipedia, his reaction was:
“Well… good luck to those guys.”
That was 25 years ago. Now, he recognizes Wikipedia’s unbelievable collective generosity and reflects on how it’s adapted to each new era of the internet.
“Well… good luck to those guys.”
That was 25 years ago. Now, he recognizes Wikipedia’s unbelievable collective generosity and reflects on how it’s adapted to each new era of the internet.
Learn more in our newsletter:
🇪🇺🌐 The future of social media may be decided in Europe
A survey of European AT Protocol projects, including 4 mini case-studies
newpublic.substack.com
February 3, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Learn more in our newsletter:
Europeans should be able to shape their own online spaces, which is why we’ve been working with public service media in Switzerland, Belgium, and Germany over four years.
Now, open, decentralized protocols like Activity Pub and AT Protocol represent a new avenue for European digital sovereignty.
Now, open, decentralized protocols like Activity Pub and AT Protocol represent a new avenue for European digital sovereignty.
February 3, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Europeans should be able to shape their own online spaces, which is why we’ve been working with public service media in Switzerland, Belgium, and Germany over four years.
Now, open, decentralized protocols like Activity Pub and AT Protocol represent a new avenue for European digital sovereignty.
Now, open, decentralized protocols like Activity Pub and AT Protocol represent a new avenue for European digital sovereignty.
We’re now testing Roundabout with pilot communities. Join the waitlist to bring it to your town or neighborhood:
joinroundabout.com
joinroundabout.com
Roundabout
Roundabout is your new online community for local life. Find what you need, connect with neighbors, and take pride in your community.
joinroundabout.com
February 2, 2026 at 4:31 PM
We’re now testing Roundabout with pilot communities. Join the waitlist to bring it to your town or neighborhood:
joinroundabout.com
joinroundabout.com
A majority of Americans (72%!) report a sense of belonging in their local communities and neighborhoods, according to Social Connection in America’s latest survey report.
This is why we’re building Roundabout, our local community app.
socialconnectioninamerica.org/2025-report/
This is why we’re building Roundabout, our local community app.
socialconnectioninamerica.org/2025-report/
February 2, 2026 at 4:31 PM
A majority of Americans (72%!) report a sense of belonging in their local communities and neighborhoods, according to Social Connection in America’s latest survey report.
This is why we’re building Roundabout, our local community app.
socialconnectioninamerica.org/2025-report/
This is why we’re building Roundabout, our local community app.
socialconnectioninamerica.org/2025-report/
How do we build more escape hatches from closed Big Tech social media? @fediforum.org is looking for ideas on how to grow the Open Social Web!
Submit a position paper for their Un-workshop by Feb. 16th, hosted by @j12t.org and @mmasnick.bsky.social:
fediforum.org/2026-03-grow...
Submit a position paper for their Un-workshop by Feb. 16th, hosted by @j12t.org and @mmasnick.bsky.social:
fediforum.org/2026-03-grow...
January 30, 2026 at 4:30 PM
How do we build more escape hatches from closed Big Tech social media? @fediforum.org is looking for ideas on how to grow the Open Social Web!
Submit a position paper for their Un-workshop by Feb. 16th, hosted by @j12t.org and @mmasnick.bsky.social:
fediforum.org/2026-03-grow...
Submit a position paper for their Un-workshop by Feb. 16th, hosted by @j12t.org and @mmasnick.bsky.social:
fediforum.org/2026-03-grow...
Their bid lost I suppose
January 30, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Their bid lost I suppose
Reposted by New_ Public
A thread worth reading
AT Protocol, the infrastructure powering Bluesky, “represents one of the most concrete opportunities for Europe to create their own social networking infrastructure,” says Dutch data analyst Laurens Hof (@laurenshof.online).
Here are four case-studies on European projects that give us hope:
Here are four case-studies on European projects that give us hope:
January 29, 2026 at 7:16 PM
A thread worth reading
Find much more about Laurens’ opportunities, challenges, and recommendations for European sovereign social media in our newsletter:
🇪🇺🌐 The future of social media may be decided in Europe
A survey of European AT Protocol projects, including 4 mini case-studies
newpublic.substack.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Find much more about Laurens’ opportunities, challenges, and recommendations for European sovereign social media in our newsletter:
Wafrn is a Tumblr-like platform that started development using ActivityPub. Over time, it also has gained full support for ATProto. It is the first and only platform that fully integrates both protocols. The project has a strong vibe of casual, internet-first users.
January 29, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Wafrn is a Tumblr-like platform that started development using ActivityPub. Over time, it also has gained full support for ATProto. It is the first and only platform that fully integrates both protocols. The project has a strong vibe of casual, internet-first users.
@sill.social is a reader client that monitors your Bluesky and Mastodon feeds to find the most popular links in your network, especially links that have been shared by multiple people you follow.
January 29, 2026 at 4:23 PM
@sill.social is a reader client that monitors your Bluesky and Mastodon feeds to find the most popular links in your network, especially links that have been shared by multiple people you follow.
@flashes.blue is an iOS client for Bluesky with an Instagram-like design. It can interact with existing photos and videos on Bluesky. An Android version is now in development.
January 29, 2026 at 4:23 PM
@flashes.blue is an iOS client for Bluesky with an Instagram-like design. It can interact with existing photos and videos on Bluesky. An Android version is now in development.
@roomy.space is a group chatting platform in an alpha stage. It takes some inspiration from Discord and other group chatting platforms. Roomy places more priority on separate “threads” in the conversation.
January 29, 2026 at 4:23 PM
@roomy.space is a group chatting platform in an alpha stage. It takes some inspiration from Discord and other group chatting platforms. Roomy places more priority on separate “threads” in the conversation.
AT Protocol, the infrastructure powering Bluesky, “represents one of the most concrete opportunities for Europe to create their own social networking infrastructure,” says Dutch data analyst Laurens Hof (@laurenshof.online).
Here are four case-studies on European projects that give us hope:
Here are four case-studies on European projects that give us hope:
January 29, 2026 at 4:23 PM
AT Protocol, the infrastructure powering Bluesky, “represents one of the most concrete opportunities for Europe to create their own social networking infrastructure,” says Dutch data analyst Laurens Hof (@laurenshof.online).
Here are four case-studies on European projects that give us hope:
Here are four case-studies on European projects that give us hope:
Reposted by New_ Public
As we confirm speakers & talks, we're also extending travel support offers.
With @newpublic.org coming on as a parter, we have dedicated support for Europe travel.
Not to be outdone, @bsky.app has increased their commitment and having some folks from Japan join us.
More detail on this soon!
With @newpublic.org coming on as a parter, we have dedicated support for Europe travel.
Not to be outdone, @bsky.app has increased their commitment and having some folks from Japan join us.
More detail on this soon!
January 29, 2026 at 2:46 AM
As we confirm speakers & talks, we're also extending travel support offers.
With @newpublic.org coming on as a parter, we have dedicated support for Europe travel.
Not to be outdone, @bsky.app has increased their commitment and having some folks from Japan join us.
More detail on this soon!
With @newpublic.org coming on as a parter, we have dedicated support for Europe travel.
Not to be outdone, @bsky.app has increased their commitment and having some folks from Japan join us.
More detail on this soon!
Reposted by New_ Public
We've got a huge list of updates ahead of the end of early bird tickets, including announcing confirmed workshops for Thursday & Friday
Early bird ends, pre-conference workshops, travel support updates
An omnibus flurry of updates
news.atmosphereconf.org
January 29, 2026 at 2:25 AM
We've got a huge list of updates ahead of the end of early bird tickets, including announcing confirmed workshops for Thursday & Friday
Reposted by New_ Public
Great summary of the current situation.
Many Europeans want to be free of American and Chinese Big Tech apps.
Open, decentralized protocols like ActivityPub (powering Mastodon) and AT Protocol (powering Bluesky) may be the key to a new sovereign social media infrastructure.
Open, decentralized protocols like ActivityPub (powering Mastodon) and AT Protocol (powering Bluesky) may be the key to a new sovereign social media infrastructure.
🇪🇺🌐 The future of social media may be decided in Europe
A survey of European AT Protocol projects, including 4 mini case-studies
newpublic.substack.com
January 28, 2026 at 4:19 PM
Great summary of the current situation.
Find our recent research on local digital spaces here:
youtu.be/kjZwUmyQ3rc?...
Here's our research on Front Porch Forum:
newpublic.org/study/3635/f...
And you can learn more about Roundabout here:
joinroundabout.com
youtu.be/kjZwUmyQ3rc?...
Here's our research on Front Porch Forum:
newpublic.org/study/3635/f...
And you can learn more about Roundabout here:
joinroundabout.com
January 28, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Find our recent research on local digital spaces here:
youtu.be/kjZwUmyQ3rc?...
Here's our research on Front Porch Forum:
newpublic.org/study/3635/f...
And you can learn more about Roundabout here:
joinroundabout.com
youtu.be/kjZwUmyQ3rc?...
Here's our research on Front Porch Forum:
newpublic.org/study/3635/f...
And you can learn more about Roundabout here:
joinroundabout.com