Can we get rid of the bad bits of social media and keep the good? Is it possible to create a more positive social media experience than the one we get from the platforms that dominate the landscape today? In this episode, Elaine Moore asks what the social media platforms of the future should look like, and whether platforms designed for smaller groups of users with shared interests are the way forward.We hear from writer and tech historian Benj Edwards about the BBS era of the early 1990s; University of Massachusetts professor Ethan Zuckerman; Sarah Gilbert, researcher at Cornell University and Reddit moderator; and Jonathan Abrams, partner at 8-Bit Capital and the creator of Friendster.Presented by Elaine Moore. Produced by Edwin Lane and Josh Gabert-Doyon, Executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Sound design by Breen Turner and Samantha Giovinco. Original music by Metaphor Music. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Hannah Murphy.Mentioned in this podcast:The Lex Newsletter: Reddit and the API apocalypseDiscord has won over gamers. Now it wants everybody elseReddit stands firm in clash with users as blackout on forums escalatesRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scott Chacon, a GitHub insider, shares secrets behind the platform's success in the competitive code collaboration space. Benj Edwards reveals how he harnessed AI to replicate his late father's handwriting, adding an emotional twist to technology. Dave Kiss delves into the rising popularity of PHP, discussing its current resurgence in the developer community. Taylor Otwell highlights his impressive $57 million series A funding round and the broader implications for open source support, showcasing a vibrant landscape in the tech world.

Scott Chacon shares his insider insights on why GitHub triumphed as a collaboration platform, underlining the role of timing and developer-focused strategies. Benj Edwards discusses his innovative use of AI to recreate his late father's handwriting, blending nostalgia with technology. Dave Kiss offers a deep dive into the recent excitement around PHP, while Taylor Otwell reveals his impressive $57 million series A funding round, igniting discussions on the future of Laravel and open source development.