Discord acquires Gas, a popular app for teens to compliment each other

First time I've seen Gas, suppose I'm out of the target demographic now.

As someone who's made a lot of internet friends on Discord over years of use, I get the nagging feeling that this app hinges on the premise that receiving e-compliments (that the app writes for the users) minimizes the workload needed to give a youth internet validation. Internet validation is rather addicting and (in my experience) debilitating for youths that allow themselves to become hooked on it. Almost all youths aren't aware of this, it is not taught to them.

That said, there aren't enough compliments in our world, especially for those suffering through highschool. If Gas avoids aggressively pursuing its users' engagement like more popular social platforms, I find it foolish to condemn software that aims to help kids feel comfortable in their own skin. I know a past self who would've given a whole lot for something like this.

This app sounds disgusting. This just looks like Tinder for children. Note the app was created by "Find Your Crush":

> We wanted to create a place that makes us feel better about ourselves. We hope that Gas shows you that there are people who love and admire you.

And they're trying to profit off exploiting kids too: > Can I see who answered a poll about me? > ... However, for the ones that you're dying to know, you can reveal who sent it by upgrading to God Mode. > God Mode is a subscription that unlocks these features: > Two Bonus Reveals — See the full name of someone who voted for you twice

It's an app for children to talk about who of their friends they think is hottest. And course, if these kids give the company a shred of sweet sweet money, they'll even tell you their full name. Without telling the voter.

Children should not be allowed to use the internet.

It's been fun following Nikita's twitter from the prelaunch announcement, to the "human trafficking" rumor scandal, to a national phenomenon, to the real life experience of my 14 yo nephew being obsessed with it, and finally to this acqui-hire. Masterful execution throughout and a testament to what's still possible because of the internet. 4 friends hacking away in their apartment with zero outside funding to millions of users and likely an 8-9 figure exit, all within six months. Pretty inspiring stuff.

Nikita is a wild builder. It was insane to watch this play out through his twitter.

Now I'm really curious what Discord has planned for Gas.

Congrats to the team! Called this in November. Discord probably bought for the social graph of verified teens. https://twitter.com/lostinthegc/status/1594108696950607872

This guy essentially build the same stuff over and over again and sell to big companies to become rich. You maybe not young, but there are always young people.

This is officially my "I am old" moment in tech, because I had no idea there was a social app called Gas with millions of daily active users.

The name gas reminds me of the Chinese phrase 加油 which literally translates to "add oil" and is usually said to people undergoing difficult times or facing challenges to keep their spirits up

Discord is notorious for being infested with moderators who try to groom/target teenagers and children, so them acquiring more access to teenagers could be a problem.

I'm both inspired and green with envy at what the Gas team was able to do here.