Call with the CEO of Near Peer
So, I just went on a call with Near Peer, the CEO of Near Peer. It was a very insightful conversation. He’s very well-educated on the space, especially with university students, which makes total sense.
The conversation went really well. I shared my insights clearly, and he shared a lot of insights with me. I wrote a page and a half of thoughts on what he said, and it just makes me think—maybe there should be a better way to do Orbit. I should focus on micro-communities, individual communities that aren’t represented in most media or platforms these days. Focus on building for them, and from there, we can grow.
Focusing on Accessibility and Technology
One idea is focusing on people with accessibility needs. That’s where AI features come in. That’s where the timing plus opportunity come in, because right now, there’s nothing stopping someone from building the same exact thing that we’re doing—ten years ago.
So, there must be something new in terms of technology that will enable a lot of things in my app. And that’s what could set us apart. But we need a lot of testing and validation before venturing into that space.
Reflections on the Consumer Social Space
I read about Push—his manifesto and his journey, and how it failed in the end. In the consumer social app space, a big part of it is not knowing where the market will pull you. You just have to have the bandwidth to continue iterating, testing, and validating, and hope that your validations are actually valid.
It’s a very tough market out there. You don’t know how people will react to certain features. What should I work on? What should I not work on?
Emotional Toll and Self-Doubt
It’s terrifying to think of the time this will suck out of my life—even though it already has. It’s taken almost 350 hours of my life, and we’re just getting started.
Some part of me still thinks maybe it’s better to stop now than to continue pushing. I feel like I’m in the exact same spot as Justin, the guy who created Push. And look at him—he stopped.
Community Engagement and Motivation
I literally just announced this to the world, and now I’m having thoughts about how this can work. How can I make this work?
People who joined my Discord—none of them showed up to the meetup, which was a little bit sad to see. I was hoping I’d see more people. That would have indicated that they’re interested in this platform, that they want to help me build. But no one was that dedicated. Only two friends came, kind of just to support me—not the app itself.
That’s slightly demotivating. If they’re not even willing to come and give the app a try, do you think they’re willing to download the app and use it to meet up with someone? It’s a big ask. And from what I’m seeing, it’s a tough ask.
Determination to Move Forward
Still, like I’ve mentioned in videos and stuff, I’m determined. I want to find a way to make something work. I want to help Orbit help people—whatever space that may be.
I don’t know how exactly, but I will have to talk to people, talk to organizations, and reach out. It’s not just about the money. If I’m able to get the money, great, but it’s also about the audience. What audience needs my platform? What audience cannot resist living without it?
Rethinking the Problem and Narrowing Focus
Maybe I need to explore different problems that the world faces right now—like loneliness in universities. In other words, focus on a specific niche, like people with disabilities or AI-based personalization.
I need to reflect more, research more, and find something that narrows the idea down. Maybe we’re too general. I need to find something more targeted, more specific, so I can excite someone, so someone can fall in love with the platform.
A Common Idea and the Risk of Mediocrity
In some way, we landed on an idea that is quite common. As a result, I end up satisfying no one. There are already platforms for that. Is there a need for another platform? Do people want another platform? I don’t know.
I need to look at the root of the problem and our mission, and figure something out from there.
Next Steps and Joining Wander Social
The best path I can take right now might be focusing on AI and using it to personalize the experience. That’s one reason I should join Wander Social. They’re doing something new, and I can be a part of it—even if it’s for no money and just partial equity.
Right now, the best thing to do might not be building or coding, but exploring, reaching out, thinking deeply, and just letting time do its thing.
Getting Help from Experts and Target Users
I need to reach out to people who are experts, or who are part of the target audience I’m focusing on, so I can understand better. Maybe talk to organizations that work directly with those people, because they understand the problem better.
I’m navigating spaces where I don’t have personal experience, so I have to reach out, learn, research. It’ll take time. Maybe I’ll become an expert, and that knowledge will help me in the future.
Purpose and Letting Go
I think that’s all my thoughts for now. I just have to think deeply about ideas, see where they take me, and validate them as fast as possible.
That’s the challenge—but also a pathway. I can focus more on my experience, my background, where my wisdom lies, and build technology that manifests the lessons I’ve learned.
Ideas Around Comfort Zone Challenges
One idea is a platform that helps people do crazy things and get out of their comfort zones. Maybe a “comfort zone challenge” kind of thing, where people find daily challenges, like a day one challenge, day two, and they can connect with others doing the same challenge that day.
Give them a sense of community. Each university would have a group of people and a social event where they do something uncomfortable together—there’s a set date and time, and people RSVP.
Maybe we have an AI aspect to it. It’s a way to group people into a certain location so they feel more comfortable doing something uncomfortable.
Strengths and Other Projects
Another thing I’m good at is talking to people, asking good questions, and getting to know them. I really believe that’s one of my biggest strengths.
I also have EXO—the app that helps people store conversation topics. But that’s a whole other project.
There’s a big chance all the code I’ve written so far might end up being for nothing. Which is unfortunate to say, but I need to be honest with myself. I have to be willing to let go of the idea and follow my purpose—go where the world needs me to go.
Living Purposefully, No Matter What
It’s a tough place to be in, but when I work on something purposeful, I don’t care what it is. People can say I’m wasting my life—but I’m enjoying it, doing something that means a lot to me. I’ll keep doing that until I die.
That’s a mindset I’ve come up with recently. As I build Orbit, I’m realizing—this might not work, but I feel like I’m working toward something meaningful. Maybe I am, maybe I’m not.
At the end of the day, if I feel good about myself and confident in my day-to-day life—that’s what matters. I’m that kind of person. I work toward something big, something crazy. I’m always dreaming. I can live whatever life I want, right?
Whether it fails or succeeds, I’m still living the dream.
The Need for Transparency and Community
But it’s not easy. It needs persistence, time, and sacrifice.
Maybe I should be more transparent with my community. Maybe I should have a smaller, tighter community—a group I can trust. I can share all my thoughts with them, and they’ll be willing to give me feedback on the ideas I share.
Basically, like a board of directors for Orbit.