

Kenneth Stanley created a new social network based on serendipity and divergence
68 snips Feb 28, 2024
Kenneth Stanley, a Professor renowned for his work in neuroevolution and author of "Why Greatness Cannot Be Planned," discusses his innovative serendipity network, Maven. He explains how this platform allows users to follow interests rather than people, moving away from popularity contests. The conversation explores the philosophical implications of creativity, the significance of serendipitous encounters, and the balance between exploration and quality in knowledge-sharing. Stanley champions a fresh approach to social media that fosters genuine connections and nurtures creativity.
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Altman's Advice
- Kenneth Stanley recounts a conversation with Sam Altman upon leaving OpenAI.
- Altman advised Stanley to focus on the overarching theme of his career, which is open-endedness and divergence.
Maven: A Serendipity Network
- Kenneth Stanley created Maven, a serendipity network designed to foster creativity and information accumulation.
- It eliminates popularity contests by removing likes and follows, encouraging interest-based connections.
Following Interests, Not Influencers
- Maven prioritizes following interests over influencers, fostering a less competitive environment.
- An AI extracts interests from posts, suggesting connections and enabling organic interest discovery.