Designing Social Media for Ambient Co-presence

Author and experience designer Caitlin Krause joins Coffey & Code to unpack digital wellbeing beyond buzzwords: agency over algorithms, the “presence pyramid,” culture cornerstones (dignity, freedom, invention, agency), and practical ways to design for authentic connection in an age of AI, agents, and XR. The conversation spans data ownership, interoperable “internet of agents” ideas like Project NANDA, the loneliness epidemic, and responsible product choices that reduce harm and increase belonging

Episode At A Glance:

• Define “digital wellbeing” without the hype: aligning intention and attention; context over one-size-fits-all rules
• Agency over algorithms: opting into platforms and practices that honor user choice, not just engagement metrics
• Presence Pyramid & somatic awareness: embodied practices that translate across 2D, XR, and spatial environments
• Culture Cornerstones: dignity → freedom → invention → agency as a repeatable loop for teams and communities
• From silos to interoperability: why open protocols for AI agents matter (e.g., Project NANDA)
• Designing for belonging: move beyond performative social to ambient, low-stakes co-presence that reduces loneliness
• Safety first: name harms clearly; pair AI with human support paths and mood check-ins after use

Resources Mentioned:

• Digital Well-being (book) by Caitlin Krause; also: Designing Wonder, Mindful by Design
• Presence Pyramid (framework)
• Project NANDA: Networked AI Agents and Decentralized Architecture
• Stanford HAI; MIT Media Lab; AR in Action
• Research/voices referenced: Esther Perel, Sherry Turkle, Brené Brown, Fei-Fei Li, Ramesh Raskar, David Eagleman
• On anthropomorphism of AI (NPR segment)
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US)

EPISODE CREDITS:

Produced and edited by Ashley Coffey. Cover art designed by Ashley Coffey.

Headshot by Brandlink Media

Introduction music composed and produced by Ashley Coffey

LINKS

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