Are.na

Are.na is an online social networking community and creative research platform founded by Charles Broskoski, Daniel Pianetti, Chris Barley, and Chris Sherron.[1] Are.na was built as a successor to hypertext projects like Ted Nelson's Xanadu, and as an ad-free alternative to social networks like Facebook, forgoing "likes," "favorites," or "shares" in its design. Are.na allows users to compile uploaded and web-clipped "blocks" into different "channels," and has been described as a "vehicle for conscious Internet browsing," "playlists, but for ideas," and a "toolkit for assembling new worlds."... Co-founder Charles Broskoski began working for Rhizome's John Michael Boling and Sapient Corporation's Stuart Moore in the early 2010s, coding prototypes of a platform which would containerize knowledge into "informational building blocks." Soon after, Broskoski brought artist Damon Zucconi and K-HOLE's Dena Yago onto the project. Broskoski, Yago, and Zucconi eventually split off to found Are.na, soon joined by co-founder Chris Sherron (also of K-HOLE) and Dan Brewster. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Are.na

Chris Beiser: https://www.are.na/chris-beiser

Tom Critchlow: https://www.are.na/tom-critchlow

Aaron K Lewis: https://www.are.na/aaron-lewis

Lukas W: https://www.are.na/lukas-w

Jan'2026 Team:
Are.na has many co-founders. Currently, a small core team is building the platform: Charles Broskoski and Daniel Pianetti deal full-time with product and operations, Damon Zucconi leads engineering, and Meg Miller takes care of everything editorial including our Annual book.
You can chat with them on Discord or email help@are.na and one of them will answer.
We are fortunate to have regular support and advice from past co-founders and contributors Chris Sherron, Chris Barley, John Michael Boling, J. Stuart Moore, and Dena Yago.