Episode 2: Hawk

What does it take to build an online community that actually lasts? In this conversation, I sit down with Hawk to talk about the evolution of digital communities - from the early days of forums to the algorithm-driven platforms we're stuck navigating today. We dig into why so many online spaces burn out, what the attention economy is doing to the way we connect, and what community builders can do differently. We cover the shift from growth-at-all-costs to sustainable stewardship, why open source matters more than ever for community infrastructure, how to know when it's time to migrate your community to a new platform, and what role AI might play in all of this going forward. Key takeaways: "Slowing down doesn't mean doing less." "Start planning your community migration early." "Open source is safer for community builders." Chapters: 00:00 The State of Online Communication 02:09 The Search for Authenticity in Online Spaces 05:32 The Impact of Attention Scarcity on Communities 10:25 Valuing Time and Attention in Community Building 14:02 Navigating Real-Time Communication Challenges 18:34 Ownership and Control in Online Communities 21:44 Planning for Community Migration 26:30 Recognizing Critical Mass in Community Growth 29:45 Addressing Loneliness Through Community Engagement 31:24 Designing for Depth and Longevity in Communities 34:30 The Future of Communities and AI