Gravity
Social media that fosters genuine human connection.
The Problem
For many, social media platforms offer an effective means to maintain meaningful relationships. For others, who are deeply affected by the social isolation of modern society, the act of posting is an unconscious reach for attention and validation.
Currently, social media platforms quantify validation in terms of “likes” and “follows”, enabling problematic validation-seeking behavior.*
This quantification enables users to project a likable persona; inevitably, users deny their true identity. Rather than looking inwards to construct self-worth, the same users refer to the opinions of others online.
The Solution
A social media platform that is not focused on sharing with others,
but rather, doing with others.
Gravity encourages people to foster connections with others by making it easy to find others with similar interests; it's easier to make new friends this way.**
Gravity asks users about their interests - hobbies, travel, career, etc. - and matches high-similarity users.
Users initially can swipe right or left on a long list of activities depending on their interest levels.
Using this binary information, the software will use algorithms to match people based on how similar their swipes were.
The algorithm also takes into account geographic and age proximity when matching users. This is important because living closer and being of similar age makes friendship more feasible.
Initially, users view their matches in a list and decide who to connect with by viewing custom profile pages.
The swiping process has no definitive end, so once Gravity has enough information to make matches, the user may opt out of swiping. They can return to swiping whenever they feel like it.
Profile pages allow users to add pictures and write a brief bio.
The profile page also lists the user's five favorite activities and topics they’d like to discuss, making it easier to initiate conversation and make plans.
Users can also link their Instagram account, adding a component of familiarity.
Clusters
The cluster is a formation that is found throughout Gravity. It is used to represent the user and their connections in a holistic and visual manner.
Initially, users will view their matches in this format. Matches that are closest to the user’s circle are geographically closer, of similar age, and have the most similar interests.
Users can create clusters dedicated to a certain activity or hobby and add friends to it. They can also belong to multiple clusters simultaneously.
Once a cluster reaches a threshold of 15 people, the founder has the opportunity to make the cluster public.
When a cluster goes public, Gravity will show the cluster to new users, who may request to join.
Clusters are crucial to Gravity’s overall design; they streamline the process of event planning. Say you want to schedule a dinner with your closest friends and plan a run tomorrow with the cross country cluster you recently joined.
Instead of starting two group text threads and enduring the ensuing mayhem, you create two "events": one in your home cluster and one in the cross country cluster. Instantaneously, your friends get one invitation, and everyone in the running cluster receives another.
Events in Gravity display which invitees have opted in, so everyone in the group is informed. The structure around event planning makes it manageable to coordinate multiple events simultaneously.
Cluster Home Page
From here, users view matches they haven’t messaged yet, manually add pre-existing friends, manage their profile page, and create new clusters.
Users can also access all of their clusters by scrolling down to reveal and interact with initially hidden clusters.
Events Page
Here, users have an organized view of all upcoming events.
Users scroll vertically to browse clusters and scroll horizontally to view thumbnails for events in a given cluster; they can tap on thumbnails to manage individual events.
The Feed
The Feed is a launchpad for users to kickstart adventures and serves as a portal to novel experiences.
Through the feed, users have access to substantial discounts on group-oriented experiences like rock climbing, surfing lessons, or escape rooms. Users also have access to 'public clusters' near to them - growing communities that want more members.
Finally, users can view new events from all of their clusters in the feed.
The Feed regularly updates with new events, deals and public cluster features.
Public Cluster Page
Public cluster pages feature a visual representation of the cluster’s members.
The names of the most active cluster members are printed in a different color as recognition of their contributions.
From the cluster page, users may access the profile pages of all members and even message them about the cluster before joining.
Outlook
The problem I was solving is merely a symptom of a much more significant and pervasive issue of social and intrapersonal disconnect that technology has perpetuated.
However, I believe that technology is not the culprit; while it may have contributed to the widespread problems we face, it's also how we will solve them.
Technology that empathizes and aligns with the fundamental ingredients of physical and emotional well-being will ultimately lead to a happier and healthier society.
* Article: Look at me: why attention-seeking is the defining need of our times
** Research Article: Friendship chemistry: An examination of underlying factors