Meet Maven, a new social app that eliminates followers and sparks curiosity instead of popularity

Since the early 2000s, when Facebook first took the world by storm, social media networks have been under scrutiny for their impact on society, especially among younger users. Research indicates that while social media offers benefits, it can also become addictive and contribute to issues like depression and anxiety.

Jaron Lanier, often hailed as the “Father of virtual reality (VR),” has been particularly vocal about the negative effects of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. He’s famously likened them to “dopamine farms” that essentially rewire our brains.

In response to these concerns, several new platforms have emerged with innovative approaches. One such platform is Maven, which is taking a different route by eliminating popular but potentially addictive features like follower counts and likes. Instead, it relies on a unique algorithm aimed at delivering more meaningful interactions.

Unlike other platforms that prioritize amassing followers and catering to mega influencers, Maven, which dubbed itself as social media detox, focuses on fostering genuine connections and deep conversations centered around shared interests.

With backing from prominent figures like OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Twitter co-founder Ev Williams, Maven is built on the principle of ‘open-mindedness,’ championed by co-founder Kenneth Stanley. Rather than programming specific goals into its AI, Maven’s algorithm is trained to evolve autonomously, with the hope of discovering innovative solutions.

“In Maven, there is a chance for AI to play a role in fixing much that is broken in our online discourse,” Altman said.

So, what sets Maven apart from traditional social media? According to Stanley, conventional platforms often encourage users to seek validation through actions like likes and retweets, resulting in superficial engagement. Maven flips this script: there are no follower counts, just a space where users can freely share their passions and interests. The evolving algorithm then ensures that relevant content finds its way to the right audience.

“It is time for a new approach to social media. Maven connects people who have shared interests and enables them to have meaningful, thoughtful conversations. I particularly LOVE that Maven is a network without borders. Conversations aren’t siloed and there’s even a serendipity feature in the app!” Affectiva co-founder Rana El Kaliouby said.

Instead of following individuals, users on Maven follow topics such as cooking, music, coding, or design. The algorithm then categorizes posts accordingly, curating personalized feeds that facilitate serendipitous discoveries.

Maven is currently available for both iOS and Android users, and it’s completely free to use. It’s an intriguing alternative to established platforms like Twitter, and who knows, it might just revolutionize the way we approach social networking.