what is anisota.net?

Six months ago I posted the following thought to my Bluesky account:

At the time, I was working on other Bluesky-adjacent experiments as a way to learn how the underlying decentralized protocol worked:

I created an automated dynamic avatar that changed every hour of every day to match the sky's gradient

I built a proof-of-concept social scoring system and analytics platform called cred.blue

I created the world's first decentralized toilet and a bespoke, hype-niche social networking site called Flushes

I returned to early 2000s status updates and incorporated them at the top of my personal website.

Each of these projects taught me more about the ATmosphere and paved the way for me to eventually make anisota.net which was released as a beta this past week.

At its core, anisota.net is an experimental social media interface and game for Bluesky and the AT Protocol. You don't "scroll" through an endless feed of posts. Instead, you flip through a finite deck of cards until you run out of stamina. You don't see engagement metrics front and center, instead each post has a "rarity" icon as if it were a trading card. You can collect post cards into curated decks that can then be shared with others. There are even in-game items, specimen collecting, and soon to be quests.

It's inspired by the last decade of my art practice, spiritual practice, and posting practice. It's "homegrown" in the mountains of Appalachia far away from silicon valley, startup culture, and whatever the hell they're doing at A16Z or Y Combinator.

My process involved sitting outside in my backyard at 1am observing moths. It looked like reading books on animals and anthropology instead of listening to podcasts about ARR and angel investors.

I created anisota.net because I wanted a way to continue using social media without having to subject myself to many of the dynamics that are not as healthy or compatible with my lifestyle/values/demeanor. I love technology, but after a decade of experiencing the best and the worst that it has to offer, I realized that the status quo of the internet and social media was not sustainable, grounding, or conducive to human flourishing.

Anisota isn't going to magically fix all of this, but I think it can be a solid step in the right direction... something that can begin reconditioning my brain, changing my muscle memory, and reshaping my relationship to the internet.

I've hesitated to describe anisota.net too much because it's still very early in the journey, and thus it has a lot of room to undergo metamorphosis.

You can listen to what I have to say about it, but here's what other people are saying about it so far too...

"If a few hours of using this website could force me to dramatically rethink my relationship to social media, it must be doing something right." ( source )

"Wow, this feels genuinely new in a way I did not expect!" ( source )

"This is magic I forgot I needed in my life" ( source )

"love how anisota keeps me semi-productive by having a stamina meter <3" ( source )

"oh yeah this is super rad another example of bluesky getting remixed into something totally new" ( source )

"it's very different than typical social media apps but in a good and intriguing way" ( source )

"It's really a fascinating experience to be forced to look at only one post in anisota.net" ( source )

"Slowcial media in an era of constant hustle" ( source )

"rare example of Art UI that also wants to be used" ( source )

"honestly kinda stunned at how good anisota.net looks as a web app on iOS. really nice subtle animation touches. such a cool experimental way to do this format. seriously, check it out." ( source )

"Posting from the literal art that is anisota.net 🐛" ( source )

"At first, I felt deeply uncomfortable using the app, like I had entered a physical space full of objects I didn't recognize and don't know how to use. But slowly, I began to feel comfortable swiping around, viewing profiles, even commenting on posts. I find these animated glow effects really beautiful and simple, the way they pulse is very calming." ( source )

"It is a highly opinionated client, themed around moths, which takes social media microblogging feeds in a very different direction. [It is] unlike any other microblogging client I’ve seen... I personally enjoy the aesthetic of Anisota, and how it adds calming nature sounds fits with the vibe that the client is going for." ( source )

"I showed my wife a post in anisota and she said is that what Bluesky looks like? It’s super pretty!" ( source )

what's the future of anisota.net look like?

I have a lot of cool features and experiences planned. Many of them will be coming to the app very soon, while others are more ambitious and will likely be several months away at least. I eventually want the app to be fully independent of Bluesky.

Currently anisota.net has no investors. It has a runway tied to my personal savings account. Within a few days of launch, it has 15 paying members totaling $150 in monthly recurring revenue. I would like to work on anisota.net and similar projects as my full-time vocation indefinitely. I already am working on it full-time, but I'm obviously not yet making enough to pay the bills.

My dream is to build a small, sustainable, and non-traditional business that makes software, experiences, and art that people love. I want it to be profitable enough that it can sustain the lifestyle of myself and maybe a few partners/employees. I don't want an IPO, I don't want to try to change the world, and I don't want growth at all costs.

Anisota is how I'm pursuing this at the moment.

If you're enjoying what I make and want to see more, consider becoming a member of anisota.net . If you commit to the annual "Moth" membership tier, you'll even get some physical zines that I'll be making and shipping out.

anisota for Bluesky & ATProto

a new, experimental way to use social media