In a digital world dominated by metrics and algorithms, we're building something different at The Portal Collective - a space where wisdom flows freely, genuine community connection thrives, and relationships grow naturally.
The internet has become enshitified - we've become content creators for billionaires who care only about maximising profits. What started as spaces for genuine connection have transformed into engagement factories where conflict drives revenue and deep, meaningful community relationships are impossible to nurture.
Community has become a buzzword that tech platforms leverage as a selling point, but their version is inherently shallow, driven by capitalist ideals rather than authentic human connection.
As noted by Nora Bateson, we can't talk about community until we again learn how to commune - to be present with one another in ways that transcend the superficial interactions encouraged by algorithmic platforms.
We're trapped in a system where we need these platforms for visibility but must either pay for ads or continuously produce content to maintain traction. Our creative work - the very thing many of us left corporate life to pursue - becomes irrelevant in the face of algorithm demands, and our ability to build genuine community connections suffers as a result.
The oversimplified discourse promoted by these platforms costs us our ability to think deeply and critically together. We're programmed to seek quick answers and 10-step plans instead of engaging in the complex, nuanced conversations that true community connection requires. This erosion of collective meaning-making diminishes our capacity to address the interconnected challenges we face.
The Portal Collective was created to provide a space where people can focus on what they're good at and what brings them joy - in an environment where they're supported to grow their networks through actual relationship building and authentic community connection.
"We're building digital infrastructure for collective liberation in the learning space - nurturing an ecosystem where wisdom flows freely, creators support each other, and everyone's voice can be heard." - Sally Burns, founder of The Portal Collective
Unlike platforms that extract value from communities while providing little in return, we're creating spaces where community members can truly thrive together - where knowledge sharing happens organically and relationships deepen through meaningful interaction rather than algorithmic nudges.
We've witnessed powerful moments of genuine connection within The Portal. When creators and learners gather around shared interests and concerns, they create spaces where people can simply be together - sitting in silence if needed, holding space for whatever emerges. This is community connection in its most authentic form - not driven by engagement metrics or content algorithms, but by human needs for belonging and mutual understanding.
As one member shared: "The Portal really is a personal, principled and inclusive space... without the 'noise' that other platforms come with. It is uplifting and I love the commitment to doing things differently. It feels as much of a movement as it is a community/hosting platform."
In times of collective uncertainty, we've seen Portal members coming together not to consume content but to commune - to be present with one another in ways that acknowledge our shared humanity. This kind of connection cannot be manufactured or engineered; it can only be cultivated in spaces designed for human flourishing rather than data extraction.
What makes The Portal's approach to community connection different:
- Shared community spaces and a marketplace that foster connections and collaboration opportunities rather than siloed competition
- Cross-collaboration between creators, allowing resources to be shared across programs to create richer experiences for learners and deeper community bonds
- A space where different aspects of your identity can flourish without algorithm-driven fragmentation, allowing for whole-person community connection
Our approach to community building is inspired by natural systems rather than industrial production. We're creating digital spaces that mirror the collaborative intelligence of forest ecosystems, where resources are shared and each element supports others' growth - much like the mycelial networks that connect trees in a forest, sharing nutrients and information.
In the face of interconnected crises, we need spaces where wisdom can flow unimpeded by profit-driven algorithms - where knowledge is freely shared, collective wisdom is cultivated, and everyone can contribute to solutions for our personal and planetary challenges. True community connection becomes not just a nice-to-have but essential infrastructure for our collective resilience and evolution.
As we face increasing polarisation in online spaces, The Portal offers an alternative vision - one where community connection is valued above engagement metrics, where relationships deepen through genuine interaction rather than algorithmic manipulation, and where collective wisdom emerges from our differences rather than being flattened by platform incentives.
With love and solidarity,
