Charlie Ellington . Design

I want to keep in touch. That's the simple version.

Social media has real advantages. Bene posts something, a friend sees it, next time they meet there's a talking point. That serendipity is real.

I've spent three years limiting tech, optimising for human connection — Rushkoff's Team Human idea that technology should serve connection, not replace it. Less social media. More being in person. More 1:1 WhatsApps sent purposefully when I think of someone.

It worked. But I optimised too far.

There's a concept in sociology called “weak ties” — Granovetter found your best opportunities come not from close friends but from people you see occasionally. The old colleague. The conference acquaintance. Weak ties bridge worlds that strong ties can't. Social media is very good at maintaining these. I haven't been.

I'm also missing business opportunities. I want to be honest about that. I'm the guy who can help you when you need that specific help — but probably not right now. If you don't know what I'm up to, you can't think of me when the moment comes. I'm running a business. That is part of the reason.

Cal Newport's Digital Minimalism — delete everything, bring back only what benefits you. Use technology, don't be used by it. I deleted everything. Email is what I'm bringing back.

The good parts of social media are real: serendipity, weak ties, shared context. The bad parts are real too: dopamine loops, attention fragmentation, performing for strangers. This email is my attempt at the good without the bad.