The Internet is Not the Greatest Anymore

I didn’t start this to build a startup. I started because I needed something I couldn’t find anymore — a place online that didn’t make me feel hollow. This quote has stuck with me for over a decade. It’s what pushed me forward. And it’s what gave birth to The Kindred. “We stood up for what was right! We fought for moral reasons, we passed laws and struck down laws for moral reasons. We waged wars on poverty, not poor people. We sacrificed. We cared about our neighbors. We put our money where our mouths were, and we never beat our chest. We built great big things, made ungodly technological advances, explored the universe, cured diseases, and cultivated the world's greatest artists and the world's greatest economy. We reached for the stars. Acted like men. We aspired to intelligence; we didn't belittle it; it didn't make us feel inferior. We didn't identify ourselves by who we voted for in the last election, and we didn't, we didn’t scare so easy. We were able to be all these things and do all these things because we were informed, by great men. Men who were revered. The first step in solving any problem is recognizing there is one—America is not the greatest country in the world anymore.” — Will McAvoy, The Newsroom (S1E1) When I started building what would become The Kindred, I wasn’t trying to start a company. I was just trying to create something that didn’t make me feel worse every time I used it. Most social platforms today aren’t broken by accident — they’re designed that way. They reward outrage. They flatten nuance. They turn every disagreement into an engagement opportunity — and the more disrespectful, the better. And if you want something different — something honest, human, respectful — you’re left wondering if maybe the internet just doesn’t work like that anymore. But I don’t buy that. We used to build things that meant something. We used to care about what was right — not just what would trend. We disagreed — sometimes passionately — but we still listened, and we didn’t turn every conversation into a war for clicks. I miss that. And I think we need it back. That’s what I’m trying to create with The Kindred. It started with KindredCircl — a platform for real reflection and honest connection. It will grow into more: real-time conversations, open public discussion, maybe even a new kind of commons. Not because I want to disrupt anything. But because I want one place online that doesn’t feel like it’s lying to me. A place where: Privacy isn’t treated like a luxury Respect is a baseline, not a bonus And disagreement doesn’t mean disrespect I’m building this because I still believe we can be better than what we’ve settled for. If you believe that too, then maybe you’re part of The Kindred already. Thanks for reading. We’re just getting started. — Barret Vogtman Founder, The Kindred

May 11, 2025 - 17:51

The Internet is Not the Greatest Anymore

I didn’t start this to build a startup.

I started because I needed something I couldn’t find anymore — a place online that didn’t make me feel hollow.

This quote has stuck with me for over a decade. It’s what pushed me forward. And it’s what gave birth to The Kindred.

“We stood up for what was right! We fought for moral reasons, we passed laws and struck down laws for moral reasons. We waged wars on poverty, not poor people. We sacrificed. We cared about our neighbors. We put our money where our mouths were, and we never beat our chest. We built great big things, made ungodly technological advances, explored the universe, cured diseases, and cultivated the world's greatest artists and the world's greatest economy. We reached for the stars. Acted like men. We aspired to intelligence; we didn't belittle it; it didn't make us feel inferior. We didn't identify ourselves by who we voted for in the last election, and we didn't, we didn’t scare so easy. We were able to be all these things and do all these things because we were informed, by great men. Men who were revered. The first step in solving any problem is recognizing there is one—America is not the greatest country in the world anymore.”

— Will McAvoy, The Newsroom (S1E1)

When I started building what would become The Kindred, I wasn’t trying to start a company.

I was just trying to create something that didn’t make me feel worse every time I used it.

Most social platforms today aren’t broken by accident — they’re designed that way.

They reward outrage. They flatten nuance.

They turn every disagreement into an engagement opportunity — and the more disrespectful, the better.

And if you want something different — something honest, human, respectful — you’re left wondering if maybe the internet just doesn’t work like that anymore.

But I don’t buy that.

We used to build things that meant something.

We used to care about what was right — not just what would trend.

We disagreed — sometimes passionately — but we still listened, and we didn’t turn every conversation into a war for clicks.

I miss that.

And I think we need it back.

That’s what I’m trying to create with The Kindred.

It started with KindredCircl — a platform for real reflection and honest connection.

It will grow into more: real-time conversations, open public discussion, maybe even a new kind of commons.

Not because I want to disrupt anything.

But because I want one place online that doesn’t feel like it’s lying to me.

A place where:

Privacy isn’t treated like a luxury
Respect is a baseline, not a bonus
And disagreement doesn’t mean disrespect

I’m building this because I still believe we can be better than what we’ve settled for.

If you believe that too, then maybe you’re part of The Kindred already.

Thanks for reading.

We’re just getting started.

— Barret Vogtman

Founder, The Kindred