

Charles Broskoski: The Story Behind Are.na
8 snips Nov 11, 2019
Charles Broskoski, co-founder of Are.na—a unique visual organization tool for artists and thinkers—shares insights from his journey in creating a community-driven platform. He discusses the growth of Are.na from a few artist friends to over 100,000 members. The conversation emphasizes the significance of subscription-based models over advertising, advocating for mindful online spaces. Charles also imparts advice on community building, highlighting the importance of engaging with users and valuing their feedback.
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Advertising vs. Information Sharing
- Advertising-based business models clash with platforms designed for information sharing.
- Align business models with user motivations, avoiding conflicts of interest.
Arena's Origin Story
- Charles Broskoski transitioned from an artist to a platform builder after a pivotal solo show.
- Arena emerged from a collaboration with friends, initially funded by a former Sapient founder.
Arena's Evolution
- Arena's initial prototype was deemed unusable by its own creators, leading to a crucial shift.
- They prioritized an open-ended system over a prescriptive one, changing how data manifests.