Simple—单纯交个朋友 1.2.17

Before You Download: A Note for Those About to Discover Simple

Hello! Thank you for taking the time to learn about Simple. Simple is a social platform dedicated to friendship, free from the complexities of romantic involvement. Here, the authentic you is what truly matters. With no need for real avatars or identity tags, you can engage without social pressure. The main theme here is friendship, marked by sincerity and freedom rather than the complications of romantic expectations. Everyone is welcome to express their true selves freely, maintain healthy boundaries, and foster genuine connections with others.

I am Wang Rongshan, the product lead for Simple—feel free to call me "Dashan" or "Brother Shan." It is a privilege to connect with you here. This note is not meant to persuade you to download Simple; rather, it’s an earnest invitation to discuss our understanding of social interactions, the principles behind our product's development, and what it can offer you and the world, helping you grasp the philosophy and story that underlie Simple.

1. Why Develop a Social App Focused on Friendship Rather than Romance?

As someone who has continually ventured into the social domain as an entrepreneur, I've contemplated what constitutes the ideal social experience. In 2017, we created an app called Summer aimed at helping college students experience wholesome romantic engagements within their campuses. Despite securing substantial funding, the project's growth did not meet expectations. This led to a period of reflection during which I identified a crucial insight: when social interactions are primarily oriented towards pursuing love, they often become strained and guarded, resulting in a lack of genuine connections. This persistent tension is at the root of many negative social experiences.

I firmly believe that the most comfortable social state should facilitate natural connections. Romance should ideally evolve from friendship rather than serve as an initial objective. However, reality often presents social interactions through a lens of competition and pressure. This prompted us to consider whether there exists a pathway back to authenticity, allowing socializing to regain its ease and sincerity.

With this in mind, my team and I envisioned moving beyond love-centric frameworks to create a space focused solely on pure friendships—a product devoid of ulterior motives and social strain. Thus, Simple was born from this foundational purpose.

2. Core Philosophy of Simple

The name "Simple" embodies our design ethos—simplicity and purity. Our goal is to dismantle social complexities and restore human connections to their most genuine and natural state. In an age overwhelmed by information and stress, Simple aims to foster an uncomplicated and authentic social environment where everyone can forge friendships without ulterior motives.

Simple transcends being merely a social tool; it serves as a sanctuary for self-rediscovery where warmth and understanding thrive. Here, comparison and competition are absent; instead, interactions are relaxed and authentic. You needn't disguise your true self nor cater to others but simply be yourself while forming bonds with like-minded individuals. We believe that friendship should be free from pressure or ulterior motives; it emerges from mutual understanding rather than external labels or objectives.

Our reflections on social connections draw inspiration from the teachings in the "Tao Te Ching," particularly its notion that spontaneity in interaction leads to deeper engagement without commercialism or ulterior motivations driving complexity. Simple aspires to provide you with a more authentic social experience where pressure is non-existent, fostering connections built on sincerity and freedom.

3. Unique Features of Simple

• A Focus on Friendship without Romantic Overtones: Unlike traditional dating platforms, Simple centers exclusively on fostering friendships. Our aim is to help you discover companions who share interests and values without the complications associated with dating.
• No Social Pressure: Simple liberates you from restrictions like real avatars or identity tags; you can express yourself freely at your own pace without competitive pressures or agendas.
• Sleek Design: We prioritize simplicity in design which translates into an intuitive user experience devoid of unnecessary complexity, allowing users to swiftly explore content or connect with new friends.

4. Key Functional Highlights

• Dynamic Plaza: A space for open expression where users can share moments from their lives authentically without needing embellishments.
• Virtual Roaming: Engage with others through diverse virtual locations tailored for deeper conversations rather than mere checks-ins.
• Close Friends Circle: Create intimate groups where trust prevails among members for deeper interactions tailored for closeness.
• Interest Channels: Explore various communities around shared passions like music or travel, fostering connections that enrich both personal growth and friendships.

Join Simple for Unfiltered Reality

Simple invites everyone to express their true selves freely within a supportive environment while fostering meaningful friendships based on shared interests rather than superficial judgments. We advocate for authentic encounters over societal expectations.As we embark on this journey together through Simple, I hope you'll uncover new possibilities while creating a genuinely warm social atmosphere.

Thank you for considering this note. Although we may not yet know each other personally, our connection through Simple signifies a new beginning. Should you choose to join us, we eagerly await your presence within our community.

If uncertainties linger for you, feel free to return here at any time and read this note anew.

Simple isn't flawless—but it is sincere.

I look forward to meeting you in the world of Simple.

- A Message from the Honest Team at Simple

Appendix: Mission, Vision, and Values of Simple

• Mission: To create a social platform centered around friendship that encourages genuine expression while alleviating loneliness and enhancing happiness.
• Vision: To cultivate sincere interactions between individuals that enrich the world through authenticity.
• Values:
  1. Equality: Each user shares equal standing without hierarchical labeling.
  2. Sincerity: Foster an environment promoting trustworthy communication.
  3. Avoiding Exploitation: Forge connections organically without ulterior motives.
  4. No Social Pressure: Ensure interactions are free-flowing without external stressors.
  5. Privacy Protection: Prioritize user data privacy with no commercialization of personal information.
  6. Friendliness: Promote an inclusive cultural atmosphere respecting user diversity.
  7. User-Centric Focus: Constantly refine user experience based on feedback and genuine needs.
  8. Transparency: Commit to transparent evolution processes involving community participation.
  9. Simplicity: Maintain simplicity in design principles aligning with core missions.
  10. Naturally Progressing: Encourage organic development without artificial acceleration or imposition of preferences.