Ep 659: Ordinary Heroes with Bernie Furshpan and guests Mason Israel & Malek Shaw on hmTv

Send us Fan MailOrdinary Heroes | Ep. 659: SocialLite: Reclaiming Attention from Social Media | HMTCA father’s one-month no-scrolling challenge inspired two young entrepreneurs to confront one of their generation’s greatest problems: addictive social media design. In less than seven months, SocialLite’s creators say their solution reached approximately 600,000 downloads and 50,000 daily users.In Episode 659 of Ordinary Heroes, host Bernie Furshpan speaks with SocialLite co-founders Mason Israel and Malek Shaw about their movement to help people reclaim their time, attention, and real-world relationships.SocialLite offers a lighter social-media experience by removing Reels, Shorts, Spotlight, advertisements, recommended posts, and other features designed to encourage endless scrolling. Users can still communicate with friends and view posts from people they deliberately follow without being pulled into algorithmically selected feeds.Mason and Malek explain how outrage, emotional engagement, short-form videos, and dopamine-driven design keep users watching. They discuss the effects on attention spans, mental health, critical thinking, and interpersonal relationships, as well as the challenge of staying socially connected without surrendering hours to a screen.The conversation also explores how the longtime friends built SocialLite with help from artificial intelligence, fellow developers, and a community that provided constant feedback. They describe their free and premium models, adjustable filtering options, planned tools for parents, and their vision for bringing SocialLite into high schools and colleges.Their mission is larger than building another app. SocialLite aims to return social media to its original purpose: helping people remain connected while giving them greater control over their time and attention.Ordinary Heroes on hmTv | Host: Bernie Furshpan | Guests: Mason Israel and Malek ShawExecutive Producer and Director: Bernie FurshpanA production of the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County🌐 hmtcli.org🎙 buzzsprout.com/2449781▶️ youtube.com/@hmTv-hmtc📱 SocialLite: Search “SocialLite” in the Apple App Store─── CHAPTERS ───0:00 Introduction0:46 Meet Mason Israel and Malek Shaw0:49 The meaning behind the name SocialLite1:46 Reaching approximately 600,000 downloads2:07 The no-scrolling challenge that inspired the app3:18 How algorithms reward outrage and engagement4:17 Dopamine, addiction, and mental-health concerns5:16 How SocialLite stops endless scrolling6:07 Daily users and posts from people you follow7:58 Modifying the big-tech experience8:21 Returning social media to its original purpose9:21 Promoting SocialLite before it existed10:04 Big tech, harmful content, and user feedback10:56 Replacing ten hours of scrolling with healthier activities12:09 Developing a collaborative version for parents13:02 Adjustable filters and messaging-only options14:10 Building the app with AI and community support15:10 Early testing and intentionally slowing the experience16:32 Protecting the partnership and the mission17:48 Best friends and business partners since childhood18:35 Constructive disagreements strengthen the team19:17 Making SocialLite accessible through a free version21:23 From a business to a worldwide movement22:03 Potential pushback from major technology companies22:29 Malek’s personal vision for SocialLite23:00 Digital life and the loss of in-person connection24:04 Traveling from Boulder to Long Island25:02 Bringing SocialLite into schools and colleges25:55 How to find the app26:05 Closing reflections27:06 hmTv outro──────────────────#OrdinaryHeroes #SocialLite #MasonIsrael #MalekShaw #SocialMediaAddiction #DigitalWellbeing #EndlessScrolling #AttentionEconomy #MentalHealth #TechForGood #YouthEntrepreneurs #HMTCSupport the show