# Wordsmith Social Networks The 272 Words of the Gettysburg Address Inspired This Social Media Site By Alyson Wyers | Published 2016-01-29 | Social Media Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/272-words References: [betalist](http://betalist.com/startups/discover272) & [discover272](http://discover272.com/) This new social network asks what people can do with 272 words. Inspired by Abraham Lincoln and the Gettysburg Address, 272 is a [social media startup](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/weare8) that encourages users to read and write standalone pieces that are only 272 words long. Discovery is a key tenet of the platform, whether it is [discovering new writers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wordrobin), discovering your inner writer or discovering [new ideas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/intention-based-social-app). Based in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, founder Joel Smith hopes 272 will be "a slower, a quieter, a -- dare we hope -- more civil place for thoughtful and thought-inspiring conversations." This challenges users to condense challenging ideas, thought-provoking theses, poems and more into a short piece of art. The platform will open to beta testers on February 12, 2016. They are also planning a 272 podcast. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.5/10 - Popularity: 2% | Activity: 6% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Media](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialmedia) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Microcontent Writing:** The trend of writing standalone pieces that are only 272 words long presents opportunities for innovative microcontent platforms or services. - **Discoverability:** The emphasis on discovery in the 272 social media platform highlights the need for disruptive innovations in personalized content recommendation algorithms or AI-driven content curation tools. - **Concise Expression:** The demand for condensing complex ideas into a short piece of art creates an opportunity for disruptive innovations in tools or platforms that aid in concise expression and communication. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Social Media:** The 272 social media platform inspires disruptive innovation opportunities for new social networking platforms that focus on microcontent creation and discovery. - **Content Discovery:** The emphasis on discovery in 272 social media calls for disruptive innovations in content discovery platforms or services that specialize in personalized recommendations for shorter-form content. - **Writing and Publishing:** The trend of writing 272-word standalone pieces opens up disruptive innovation opportunities in writing and publishing tools that cater to the specific needs of concise expression and distribution. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Short Story Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drabble.md) - [Long-Form Content Social Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/longform-articles.md) - [Creative Online Social Networks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bf-island.md) - [Paired-Down Social Media Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/month-friend.md) - [Social Engagement Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thoughtful-engagement.md) - [Niche Interest Social Networks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spiral-social.md) - [Short Audio Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thirty-three-seconds.md) - [Thought-Provoking Social Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thoughtprovoking-social-app.md) - [Minimalist Social Media Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/minimalist-social-media-platforms.md)