Old-School Socializing

In a turbulent time where tech oligarchs have aligned themselves with Donald Trump, Tuntréet traveled to Oslo in search of an alternative to Facebook. There, we met PÅ, a new calendar and magazine initiative that aims to connect people through physical formats and in-person gatherings.

Journalists: Trygve Bø Kongsbakk and Eirik Vistnes
Translator: Rebekka Berg
Illustrator: Anna Bjørke

At Vega Scene in Oslo, Tuntréet’s reporter is greeted by two friendly faces, soon joined by three more. They introduce themselves as Vilde, Tuva, Emma, Ella, and Frances. Together, they form the editorial team behind PÅ. Tuva explains that the idea was born last summer when they started discussing deleting social media. This was around the time Facebook announced that content on the platform would be used to train artificial intelligence. The PÅ team often felt distracted and had previously attempted to delete the app, but this time, they did it together. At the same time, they feared being left out. There weren’t many alternatives to Facebook for staying updated on local events, so they decided to create one themselves. The result was PÅ.

The PÅ Calendar

PÅ is continuously evolving, featuring bulletin boards and even personal ads, but the central element is the calendar. The calendar distinguishes between two types of events, PÅfunn (“ideas” or “ventures”) and Funnet PÅ (“discovered ideas”). PÅfunn includes classic events typically found on Facebook, ranging from sober morning raves to concerts or evening tours at the Botanical Garden. The selection is curated, offering only a handful of options rather than an overwhelming flood of events, as seen on Facebook.

Funnet PÅ is something new—or perhaps just a rediscovery of something old. Here, people can submit their own ideas to PÅ along with an invitation to participate. In March, for example, there are invitations to a three-course dinner for ten strangers, a writing circle, and an open singing group. All you have to do is send in the time, place, a description of up to 60 words, and, if needed, contact info for registration or other necessary details.

Embracing the Unknown

After years of living with social media, a world without Facebook might seem unfamiliar. The PÅ team highlights the unknown as a quality they’ve rediscovered. Unlike Facebook, where you can see who else is attending an event, PÅ doesn’t offer that feature. You show up without knowing who you’ll meet. They admit it can be a bit nerve-wracking, but mostly, it’s exciting.

They recall a dinner they organized for 30 guests. As hosts, they were the only ones who knew who would attend, and it was a great success. The way they describe it, it almost sounds like a spiritual experience. They talk about an openness and presence unlike anything they had experienced before.

FOMO?

Tuntréet asks them what it’s like not being constantly updated. “If I hear about something afterward, it doesn’t feel like a big deal. I don’t take it too hard,” Frances responds. She has deleted both Facebook and Instagram and says she doesn’t miss them. “It’s nice to be without them.”

Looking at the March edition, it quickly becomes clear that the PÅ team doesn’t have to worry about being left out. They are at the center of a growing ecosystem of gatherings. In February, there were two Funnet PÅ activities. In March, there are ten. In the future, they hope to expand this section even more.

A Growing Resistance Movement

The team hasn’t entirely abandoned social media. Some have deleted them completely, while others have simply removed the apps or still use them. PÅ is not an anti-technology cult, despite what some might think. However, they strongly believe there are reasons to resist how social media affects us. In the March issue, they write about attention, concentration, and lost time—how they feel “more distracted than inspired.” Instead, they want “more resistance, time-consuming culture, and genuine conversations.” PÅ is an attempt to start such a counterculture.

They admit that challenging the status quo feels overwhelming. Tuntréet asks if quitting Facebook really makes a difference. Ella responds that, at first, it might just be a personal choice. They don’t expect to impact big tech companies, but they feel they are part of a growing resistance movement. They draw a parallel to the climate movement. It’s easy to feel powerless, but working on PÅ has made them realize that change is possible—especially when done together.

PÅ is working on launching a website, but for now, it exists only in physical format. They invite everyone to participate and submit their own ideas to paa.kalender@gmail.com. The next issue launches at Sofienberg Church on March 30 at 1 PM. You can also find issues at select locations in Oslo, including Vega Scene and the reception areas of AHO and KHiO.

Other Alternatives to Facebook

There are several social networks that are not controlled by big tech companies. Here are a few that might be worth checking out:

Hudd: A Norwegian platform marketed as a Facebook alternative, free from algorithms and ads. Requires Vipps for account creation and asks for name, address, birthday, email and phone number—does not store additional information on its users. The business model is based on paid access to extra features—the app is otherwise free. Currently, it has a small user base but aims to grow significantly.

Bluesky: A decentralized platform founded (but no longer owned) by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey. Similar to Twitter before Elon Musk’s acquisition. Registered as a “benefit corporation” in the U.S., meaning its goal is public benefit rather than maximum profit, though it is not a nonprofit. Its business model is not yet fully developed, but future plans include an optional premium feature. The current CEO has expressed reluctance toward ads. The platform has recently seen significant growth. Is not available in Norwegian.

Discord: Popular in gaming communities but also used for other purposes. Consists of multiple chat channels and is primarily free, with optional paid features.  

Telegram: A privacy-focused platform similar to Messenger. Offers end-to-end encryption, ensuring only senders and recipients can access messages. Features a channel function for sharing information, similar to Facebook pages. The business model includes ads and paid premium features. However, due to its Russian origins, Norway’s parliament has banned the app on government devices.

Signal: Similar to Telegram, this messenger-like platform is also privacy-focused with end-to-end encryption. Unlike Telegram, it is run by a nonprofit organization funded by donations. Meredith Whittaker, known for her activism against big tech and for ethical AI development, has been the organization’s president since 2022.

Mastodon: A decentralized platform consisting of multiple independent, community-run servers. Resembles Twitter/X but without a central moderation authority—each server sets its own rules. It can be difficult to navigate due to its fundamentally different structure from mainstream social networks. Owned by a nonprofit foundation and funded through crowdfunding, with thousands of individual donors contributing.