The Social Media Reckoning: What Comes Next?

The digital town square is in disarray—algorithms stoke division, platforms peddle chaos, and users are tuning out. But disillusionment breeds opportunity. As social media fractures, smaller, curated spaces like Discord and Substack emerge, championing intimate dialogue over mass distraction. Meanwhile, thinkers like Mike Pepi urge us to imagine beyond platforms, advocating for tech that empowers institutions, not exploits them. The future of online connection won’t be found in another feed—but in building spaces that value depth, community, and human experience over engagement metrics. The question is: Will we seize the moment to design something better?