Maven Is a New Social Network That Eliminates Followers—and Hopefully Stress

Maven, a new social network designed to enhance mental health and serendipity, eliminates traditional social media metrics like likes and followers. Inspired by AI researcher Kenneth Stanley's concept of open-endedness, the platform encourages exploration and diverse interactions without the pressure of popularity metrics. Maven allows users to follow interests, not individuals, and utilizes algorithms to match posts with relevant audiences, aiming to foster meaningful and stress-free exchanges.

The network, supported by Twitter co-founder Ev Williams and other notable investors, focuses on content relevance and engagement without direct incentives for user competition. Maven is still in its early stages, exploring potential business models and growing its user base, while promoting a culture of civil and constructive discourse.