The Journal

Notes from a quieter internet.

What we are reading, building, and arguing about as we work on Hush.

Manifesto8 min read

Why we built a social app without photos.

A manifesto. On the case against the profile picture, and what we found when we removed it.

Safety9 min read

Anonymous chat in 2026, honestly assessed.

What anonymous apps used to mean, what they mean now, and how to use them without losing the plot.

Research7 min read

What Gen Z actually wants from a messaging app.

Six shifts we keep seeing in our research, our users, and the way the rest of the internet feels in 2026.

Trends6 min read

The no-photo dating movement, explained.

Why a generation that grew up online is opting out of the photo-first model. And what comes after.

Guide5 min read

37 conversation starters that go past small talk.

Field-tested prompts. Use them on Hush, in person, or anywhere a conversation needs a door.