Can a social app fix the ‘terrible devastation’ of social media?

Biz Stone, co-founder of Twitter, and Evan Sharp, co-founder of Pinterest, are making waves in the social media landscape with their new startup, West Co. The company has successfully secured $29 million in funding, spearheaded by Spark Capital, to further develop their innovative app, Tangle, which was initially introduced in an invite-only format last November. Evan Sharp, who holds the position of CEO, expressed the driving motivation behind West Co, stating it was born from a desire to help mitigate the significant emotional toll that social media has imposed over the past decade and a half. The app’s unique approach begins by prompting users with the question, “What’s your intention for today?” This feature encourages users to articulate their goals and share them with friends, fostering a sense of mindfulness and intentionality in daily activities. In an interview with the Financial Times, Stone highlighted that Tangle has the potential to evolve before its official public launch. The aim is to empower users to organize their lives purposefully, recognize the patterns that influence their experiences, and ultimately enhance their overall well-being in a digital world often criticized for its detrimental effects.