Former Twitter staffer known as Rabble has introduced Divine, a new social‑media platform that seeks to restore the six‑second looping video experience popularized by Vine. The app debuted last week after nine months of development and beta testing, and it already reports roughly 100,000 users.
What makes Divine different
Divine mimics Vine’s scrolling feed of six‑second clips but adds several safeguards aimed at preserving human creativity. The founder says the platform will not allow AI‑generated videos, arguing that artificial‑intelligence content often results in “mediocrity.” To enforce this policy, Divine employs multiple detection systems and follows the example of recent moves by Pinterest and LinkedIn to limit AI‑driven posts.
In addition to the AI ban, Divine offers users detailed explanations of the algorithm that powers its “For You” page. Users can select from alternative feeds—such as animal‑focused, style‑focused, or most‑popular videos—giving them greater control over what appears in their timeline.
Decentralized infrastructure
Divine is built on a decentralized digital infrastructure similar to Mastodon and Bluesky. This design lets users migrate their content and profiles to other compatible platforms with ease. The open‑source technology also enables anyone to create independent online communities without relying on a single central service.
Early partnerships and community response
Within its first week, Divine announced a brand partnership with Taco Bell, marking its initial foray into commercial collaborations. Early adopters have posted videos that reference 2010s memes and celebrate a return to a social‑media environment many felt was less pessimistic than today’s algorithm‑driven feeds.
Rabble, who previously worked at Twitter and received backing from its founder Jack Dorsey, emphasizes that Divine aims to give users “more transparency and control over the app’s operations.” He envisions a platform where users can enjoy a healthier social‑media experience without feeling trapped in a “nightmarish hellscape.”
Historical context
Vine launched in 2012 and was acquired by Twitter for $30 million. The six‑second format helped launch the careers of creators such as Logan Paul and Shawn Mendes. Despite its cultural impact, Vine struggled to compete with emerging short‑form video features on Instagram and other platforms, leading Twitter to shut it down in 2017. Volunteer archivists preserved much of Vine’s content, and Divine has incorporated portions of that archive into its own library of over two million original posts.
Divine joins a broader wave of nostalgia‑driven projects, including efforts by MySpace owners to revive their once‑dominant social network. The resurgence reflects growing frustration among internet users over the lack of control they have on mainstream platforms, especially regarding algorithmic curation and content moderation.
Looking ahead
As Divine continues to grow, its success will hinge on whether users embrace a platform that prioritizes human‑made content, algorithmic transparency, and decentralized ownership. The app’s early adoption numbers and brand partnership suggest a promising start, but only time will tell if it can sustain a viable business model in a crowded social‑media landscape.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
