Back to the Lab: When One Intervention Isn’t Enough
Just days after an intervention last Thursday, I’m heading back in for a fistulogram. Unfortunately, a blockage showed up again the very next day—one of those frustrating reminders that when it comes to dialysis access, progress isn’t always linear.
It’s mentally exhausting to feel like you’ve just cleared a hurdle, only to be sent right back to the starting line. But this is part of the reality of managing chronic health issues: monitoring, reacting quickly, and doing what’s needed to keep things working. One step back doesn’t erase forward momentum—it just means the process continues.
👉 To watch my thoughts and follow this journey, go to Videos → End Stage Renal Disease on NielFlamm.com.
#DialysisLife #Fistulagram #ChronicIllness #ESRD #HealthJourney #OneDayAtATime #Resilience
When a Neighbor’s Loss Highlights a Platform’s Problems
I read the recent WSB-TV report about a DeKalb County woman saying a “#Nextdoor schemer cost her hundreds.” (https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/dekalb-county/woman-says-nextdoor-schemer-cost-her-hundreds/LQXJURHIVFBBVNMIMBCYFAYD3Y/)
This situation is unfortunately all too familiar: neighbors trying to use the platform in good faith, only to experience harm rather than help. It raises important questions about how #Nextdoor — a company that promotes “trusted connections and local safety” — operates in protecting users and community members.
Unpaid Moderators Aren’t Working
#Nextdoor still relies heavily on unpaid, unevenly trained moderators who wield suspension power with little accountability. This system routinely fails to detect scams or help users understand what happened—often leaving victims confused, unsupported, and without recourse.
Why Not Invest in Better Technology?
If the company truly wants to prevent harm and build trust, it should explore AI-driven moderation and safety tools that proactively detect spam, scams, and other problematic behavior, rather than reacting after the fact. Other major platforms already use these tools, yet #Nextdoor continues to rely on a model that has shown significant limitations.
Leadership Must Show Vision
Under CEO Nirav Tolia, #Nextdoor continues to prioritize curated messaging and feel-good headlines over the hard work of building safer, more accountable community systems. Meanwhile, NXDR stock hasn’t meaningfully moved from last week’s close, despite sporadic hype — perhaps reflecting that investors are waiting for real execution, not just public relations.
There was no “fluffy news” today — just real people affected by real problems that could have been prevented with more innovative tools and better leadership attention.
Momentum from the People, Not the Platform
Across my posts, I’m seeing reactions from netizens who are not connected to me personally — ordinary users sharing similar frustrations. That momentum — and those voices — deserve to be heard and engaged, not ignored or silenced.
A Holiday Wish — But With a Challenge
To the employees of #Nextdoor, I wish a Merry Christmas and a heartfelt hope that 2026 brings:
✔️ Better protection for users
✔️ A move toward AI-assisted moderation
✔️ Real dialogue with neighbors, advertisers, shareholders, and critics
✔️ A leadership focus on doing good, not just saying good
If #Nextdoor truly believes in its mission, then protecting users from harm should be even more important than publishing feel-good blog posts about neighbors helping neighbors. Let’s hope the leadership starts acting like it.
#Nextdoor #CommunityTrust #DigitalSafety #AI #Moderation #LeadershipMatters #Accountability #StockWatch #NiravTolia #NeighborSupport #HolidayWish
The Housemaid: First Impressions & Red Flags 👀🎬
I caught The Housemaid and went in expecting tension, twists, and that slow-burn unease that keeps you leaning forward in your seat. Between Amanda Seyfried delivering her signature intensity and Sydney Sweeney—who, for legal and imaginary reasons, I’ll refer to as my future ex-wife—the movie sets up an interesting psychological chess match.
Did it fully deliver? Did it surprise me? Did it raise a few eyebrow-arching questions? All of that—and more—I save for video.
👉 Head to Videos → Movie Reviews on NielFlamm.com to hear my full, unfiltered take on The Housemaid, what worked, what didn’t, and whether it earns a recommendation.
#MovieReview #TheHousemaid #AmandaSeyfried #SydneySweeney #PsychologicalThriller #FilmThoughts #MovieNight #FutureExWife
“Digging In” — A Totally Fictional #Nextdoor Boardroom Dialogue
Nirav Tolia (CEO):
“Alright, everyone, let’s be clear. I’ve dug my heels in. We are going to lead a company whose mission is connecting neighbors—without allowing people to connect in ways that make leadership uncomfortable.”
Board Member #1:
“Just to clarify… you’re saying fewer comments, fewer conversations, more control?”
Nirav:
“Exactly. Connection is great—as long as it’s quiet, curated, and doesn’t ask questions.”
Board Member #2:
“And the feedback from users?”
Nirav:
“We’ll call it ‘noise.’ Much easier.”
Board Member #3:
“There’s been repeated outreach from a shareholder in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. He’s asking for better-equipped, non-anonymous moderators—help for U.S. communities facing hunger. Open dialogue with leadership. Thoughts?”
Nirav (waves hand):
“I will not be bullied into submission by some dude in Mount Pleasant asking for accountability, transparency, and—what was the third thing?”
Intern (checking notes):
“Uh… actually listening to neighbors?”
Nirav:
“Right. That one. Hard pass.”
Board Member #1:
“But helping hungry communities in the U.S.—that aligns with our mission.”
Nirav:
“Only if it fits the content calendar.”
Board Member #2:
“And anonymous moderators with no oversight?”
Nirav:
“Perfect system. No names, no accountability, no follow-up.”
Intern:
“Sir… respectfully… isn’t that the opposite of connecting people?”
Nirav:
“Look, we connect people spiritually. Through blog posts. With comments turned off.”
Board Chair (sighs):
“So the strategy is… dig in, don’t change, don’t engage, and hope the questions stop?”
Nirav (confidently):
“That’s leadership.”
Intern (quietly):
“Or… It’s avoidance.”
(The room goes silent.)
Mime in the corner (pretending to build an invisible wall):
…
Board Chair:
“Meeting adjourned.”
#InternLife #CorporateClown #MimeStrategy #PRGoneWrong #TechComedy #Infotainment #SatireAtWork #LetUsersSpeak #OpenTheComments #CommunityFirst #VoiceOfTheUser #CustomerFeedback #ShareholderVoice #AdvertiserTrust #Nextdoor #NiravTolia
🎙️ Want to be on a podcast? Let’s talk.
🎙️ Want to Chat? Let’s Make It Easy.
I love conversations. Not stiff interviews. Not rehearsed talking points. Just real humans talking about real things.
Maybe you’ve got something to promote.
Maybe you want to talk about work, life, recovery, tech, leadership, community, or something totally random.
Maybe you don’t know yet — that’s okay too.
👉 Use my Calendly to find a mutual time that works for you.
https://calendly.com/niel-flamm-1cz/a-nielflamm-com-podcast
All conversations are done via Zoom, super casual, no pressure.
Think of it as a conversation where you drive the topic. I’ll ask good questions, listen, and let it flow.
The internet is forever… so let’s make it interesting.
No FOMO. No “I should have done this.”
Let’s see what clicks.
10 Days Left… So Naturally I’m Re-Downloading the Dating Apps
With 10 days left in the year, I’ve decided to do something bold, questionable, and possibly against my own best judgment — I’m getting back on the dating apps.
Because nothing says growth and reflection like returning to the same apps that previously delivered mixed results, awkward conversations, and at least one “how did this even happen?” moment.
Will this work?
Absolutely not.
In fact, this call to action is probably a bad idea. But to be fair, everything I tried before didn’t exactly work either, so here we are — experimenting publicly and leaning into curiosity over comfort.
This time, though, I’m changing the approach… and making it interactive.
👉 Head to Videos → Adventures in Dating to find out:
What I’m doing differently (or pretending to)
Why this plan may fail spectacularly
And how you can participate in what could only be described as a social experiment
Ten days left in the year.
What’s the worst that could happen?
#AdventuresInDating #DatingApps #EndOfYearChaos #BadIdeas #LifeInProgress
I Appreciate The Directness — This Video Nails It
I came across this video and genuinely appreciated its direct, unapologetically clear approach.
No fluff.
No over-explaining.
No, trying to please everyone.
In a world where we often dance around the point, this kind of honesty is refreshing. You may not agree with every word — and that’s fine — but the clarity of the message leaves no room for confusion. You know exactly where the speaker stands, and there’s value in that.
Directness doesn’t have to be rude.
Clarity doesn’t have to be cruel.
And honesty doesn’t require a disclaimer.
This video is a good reminder that saying what you mean — respectfully and confidently — still matters.
🔗 Video link: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1ASqBAA9WT/
NielFlamm.com
#Communication #Directness #Clarity #Authenticity #LinkedInThoughts
🔥 Avatar: Fire & Ash — First Impressions 🔥
I just reviewed Avatar: Fire and Ash, and let’s just say Pandora isn’t done surprising us. The visuals push boundaries (again), the tone feels darker, and the stakes are unmistakably higher.
I’m keeping my full thoughts on video—head over to Videos → Movie Reviews to hear what worked, what raised questions, and where this chapter fits in the larger Avatar saga.
#AvatarFireAndAsh #Avatar3 #MovieReview #SciFiMovies #JamesCameron #Pandora #FilmThoughts #VideosThenMovies
10 Feel-Good Stories Nextdoor Could Write — If Actions Matched the Mission
#Nextdoor’s mission centers on neighbors helping neighbors, open connection, and community trust. Yet in practice, engagement is limited, comments are disabled, questions are removed, and dialogue is avoided.
If actions truly aligned with words, here are the kinds of feel-good blog stories we might see — not as marketing, but as lived reality:
1️⃣ “How Listening to Critics Helped Us Build a Better Neighborhood Platform.”
Transparency starts when hard questions are welcomed, not silenced.
2️⃣ “Why We Turned Comments Back On — and What We Learned From Our Community.”
Real connection requires conversation, not control.
3️⃣ “From Moderation to Mediation: How We Rebuilt Trust With Our Users.”
Accountability beats anonymous enforcement every time.
4️⃣ “How Feedback From Advertisers Improved Our Reach Metrics.”
Honest data creates long-term partnerships.
5️⃣ “Why We Engaged Shareholders Instead of Blocking Them.”
Strong companies don’t fear scrutiny — they invite it.
6️⃣ “When We Stopped Curating the Narrative and Started Hosting the Conversation.”
Community isn’t a headline. It’s a dialogue.
7️⃣ “Supporting Neighbors in Need — Even When There’s No ROI.”
Mission over monetization.
8️⃣ “Why We Gave Moderators Training, Oversight, and Accountability.”
Healthy communities require responsible governance.
9️⃣ “How Open Dialogue Strengthened Our Brand More Than Any Campaign.”
Trust compounds faster than impressions.
🔟 “What Happens When a Platform Finally Practices What It Preaches.”
That’s the story neighbors are waiting for.
Until stories like these are true, feel-good content will remain hollow.
Communities don’t need better marketing — they need honest engagement.
@NiravTolia - Your Turn
#Nextdoor #Leadership #CommunityTrust #Transparency #DigitalEthics
#CustomerVoice #ShareholderPerspective #AdvertiserTrust #PracticeWhatYouPreach
“The Cost of Silence” — A Totally Fictional #Nextdoor Boardroom Dialogue
Nirav Tolia (President):
“Alright everyone, quick update. We’ve chosen to limit engagement on #LinkedIn and #Facebook.”
Board Member #1:
“Limit… as in turn off comments?”
Nirav:
“Exactly. It’s safer.”
Investor #1:
“Safer than what—conversation?”
CFO:
“Just to clarify, this requires ongoing spend: executive review, legal oversight, comms approvals, IT controls, moderation queues…”
Intern (Kyle):
“I’ve been refreshing the dashboard every 30 seconds to make sure comments stay off, sir.”
Clown (Bubbles):
(Honk)
“Couldn’t we just… let people talk?” (Honk)
Nirav:
“Absolutely not. Engagement is unpredictable.”
Board Member #2:
“So instead, we pay teams across leadership, legal, comms, IT, and moderation… to stop engagement?”
Mime:
(silently acts out shoveling money into a furnace, then shrugs)
Investor #2:
“What’s the total cost so far?”
CFO:
“Hard to say, roughly $20,000 per month. It’s more than the cost of allowing comments.”
Board Chair:
“And the upside?”
Nirav:
“Control.”
Intern (Kyle):
“Sir… someone asked a question.”
Nirav:
“Emergency meeting. Shut it down.”
Clown (Bubbles):
(Honk Honk)
“You know what’s cheaper than all this? Transparency.”
(Honk)
Mime:
(Nods Emphatically)
#Nextdoor #Leadership #CorporateSatire #DigitalEngagement #TransparencyMatters #Boardroom #CostOfSilence #CommunityTrust #SocialMediaStrategy #NiravTolia
“The High Cost of Silence: How #Nextdoor Is Paying to Avoid Engagement”
🔍 Rough Cost Analysis: “Turning Off Engagement.”
(Estimates based on typical public-company roles, blended hourly costs, and conservative assumptions. This is not an accusation—it's a cost model.)
1) Executive & Leadership Time
CEO / Exec Direction
Decision-making, alignment, approvals
Est. 1–2 hrs/week
Fully loaded cost: $500–$800/hr
$1,000–$1,600 / month
Communications / PR Leadership
Messaging strategy, risk mitigation, approvals
Est. 4–6 hrs/week
$200–$300/hr
$3,200–$7,200 / month
2) Social Media & Moderation Ops
Social Media Manager(s)
Monitoring, deleting, toggling comments, and escalation
Est. 10–15 hrs/week
$50–$75/hr
$2,000–$4,500 / month
Trust & Safety / Moderation
Review flags, remove comments, document actions
Est. 8–12 hrs/week
$40–$60/hr
$1,300–$2,900 / month
3) Legal, Policy & Compliance
Legal / Policy Review
Risk review, consistency checks, guidance
Est. 2–4 hrs/month
$250–$400/hr
$500–$1,600 / month
4) IT / Platform / Tooling
Platform Admin / IT
Configuring comment restrictions, permissions, and audits
Est. 1–2 hrs/month
$100–$150/hr
$100–$300 / month
Enterprise Tools & Software
Social listening, moderation, and reporting tools
$500–$2,000 / month
💰 TOTAL Estimated Monthly Cost (Conservative)
Low end: ~$8,600 / month
High end: ~$20,000+ / month
This has been ongoing for several months, and the total spend easily reaches tens of thousands of dollars—to limit engagement, not build it.
📋 ***WARNING*** Advertiser Checklist: Before Spending on #Nextdoor
Before you buy ads, ask:
Engagement & Trust
❓ Can customers comment or respond publicly?
❓ Are comments disabled on brand announcements?
❓ Is feedback visible—or filtered out?
Accountability
❓ If your ad underperforms, who do you contact?
❓ Is there a public support channel—or only private tickets?
❓ Are critical voices blocked instead of addressed?
Metrics & Reach
❓ Are “active users” inflated by suspended or inactive accounts?
❓ How is engagement measured if discussion is suppressed?
❓ Can you independently verify reach and interaction?
Leadership Signals
❓ Does leadership welcome feedback—or silence it?
❓ If shareholders and users are blocked, how are advertisers treated?
❓ Does the platform’s behavior match its mission statement?
🧠 Bottom Line
#Nextdoor appears willing to spend real money to restrict dialogue across #LinkedIn and #Facebook—platforms designed for engagement.
Advertisers should ask:
If a company limits conversation about itself, what happens when customers want to talk about your brand?
#Nextdoor #AdvertiserBeware #DigitalTransparency #CommunityTrust #AdSpend #BrandRisk #NXDR #LeadershipMatters #NiravTolia
Feel-Good Headlines vs. Real Engagement — What Is #Nextdoor Really Hiding?
I saw #Nextdoor’s latest announcement about expanding Nextdoor Alerts with #USGS earthquake data and #Waze traffic integration.
(https://lnkd.in/e2UAAVY3)
That’s certainly a feel-good headline, but it raises an important question:
Why so many feel-good stories right now — and so little genuine engagement?
If #Nextdoor truly believed in neighbors helping neighbors and community connection, then authentic dialogue would be welcome — not disabled.
Here’s what’s still happening:
✔️ #Nextdoor posts are published without comments allowed on LinkedIn.
✔️ Hard questions — even from shareholders — go unanswered.
✔️ Engagement is curated instead of encouraged.
✔️ Leadership — including you, @NiravTolia — remains silent when direct feedback is offered.
So if “keeping neighbors informed” is this important, let’s put real communication front and center. Why not:
🔹 Allow comments on LinkedIn?
🔹 Engage with feedback instead of deleting it?
🔹 Open an honest dialogue with users, advertisers, shareholders, and critics?
Feeling good about integration announcements is one thing.
Doing good by your community is another.
@NiravTolia — If you genuinely want to serve all stakeholders, will you take a step toward transparency and engagement? Let’s talk.
NielFlamm.com
#Nextdoor #NextdoorAlerts #CommunityTrust #DigitalTransparency #Accountability #EngagementMatters #LinkedInComments #NiravTolia #ShareholderVoice #AdvertiserInsight #UserFeedback
When a Platform That Claims “Community” Silences Conversation
This screenshot says it all:
“#Nextdoor for Business has limited the ability to comment.”
For a company whose mission is centered on connecting neighbors and building community, this is a glaring contradiction. Limiting comments doesn’t protect the community — it prevents it from flourishing.
This should also give advertisers serious pause for thought.
If #Nextdoor is actively restricting conversation:
How are brands supposed to engage with customers?
What happens if an advertiser has an issue, question, or needs public clarification?
Where does feedback go when comments are shut off?
And most importantly — what is #Nextdoor trying to hide?
A platform that limits dialogue while selling “engagement” is sending mixed signals. Community isn’t built by one-way announcements or curated silence. It’s built through open conversation — especially when things get uncomfortable.
If #Nextdoor continues to close doors instead of opening them, advertisers and partners may want to reconsider whether this platform is truly aligned with transparency, accountability, and genuine connection.
Leadership sets the tone. Under CEO Nirav Tolia, these repeated decisions to limit discussion contradict the company’s stated purpose and raise legitimate concerns about transparency, accountability, and data integrity.
When comments are disabled, trust usually follows.
NielFlamm.com
#Nextdoor #AdvertiserBeware #CommunityTrust #DigitalTransparency #LeadershipMatters
#NiravTolia #NXDR #AdTech #MarketingStrategy #UserEngagement #Accountability #NiravTolia
Why Advertisers Should Be Wary Before Buying Ad Space on #Nextdoor
#Nextdoor’s announcement of a self-serve ads platform for small businesses sounds promising on paper: hyper-local targeting, AI-driven optimization, and tools to help SMBs reach “verified neighbors.”
https://about.nextdoor.com/gb/news/nextdoor-announces-new-self-serve-ads-platform-for-small-businesses
But before any advertiser hands over budget, a few critical realities need airing:
📌 Accuracy of reach and metrics matters. #Nextdoor claims billions of signals and neighborhood context, but when real neighbor engagement is stifled — comments disabled or deleted on its own LinkedIn announcements — what actual engagement is being measured and delivered to advertisers?
📌 Conversation isn’t possible on #Nextdoor’s own social posts. If neighbors, advertisers, and stakeholders can’t publicly react, ask questions, or share feedback — where does meaningful interaction actually happen?
📌 Advertisers need dialogue and accountability. If an advertiser runs a campaign and something goes wrong, who will you reach? There’s no public engagement on posts — no visible neighbor feedback. When I, a shareholder and former user, try to engage leadership on LinkedIn, I’m blocked, not heard.
📌 Leadership matters. When the CEO #NiravTolia doesn’t allow public feedback or transparent engagement, it sets a tone for the platform — one that values control over community. Advertisers should ask: Will my voice matter here? Will my customers be able to interact with my brand — or will their engagement be filtered, silenced, or invisible?
#Nextdoor’s self-serve ads tools might work for some — but advertisers should be cautious about actual reach vs reported reach, and demand clarity before committing budget. Real neighborhood impact requires real engagement — not just ads in a walled garden.
#Nextdoor #Advertising #DigitalMarketing #HyperlocalAds #SmallBusiness #Transparency #DataIntegrity #AdvertiserBeware #CommunityTrust #NXDR #Accountability
🚩 When “Donation” Comments Start Eating Their Own
An interesting pattern is showing up in my feed lately.
Multiple profiles @somolia anna @stella peters —each with limited history, minimal connections, and generic HR titles—are posting the exact same praise-heavy comments about “your campaign,” “your purpose,” and “sponsorship opportunities.”
The twist? They’re now commenting on each other’s posts.
Same language.
Same structure.
Same vague donation angle.
At this point, it’s less networking and more copy-paste chaos.
If you’re going to run a donation pitch on LinkedIn:
At least confirm the person has an actual campaign
Avoid recycled scripts visible across dozens of profiles
And maybe… don’t overlap with others using the same script
This is a reminder for everyone:
Check profiles. Check history. Trust patterns, not praise.
Something feels off? It usually is.
#ScamAwareness #LinkedInSafety #ProfessionalIntegrity#DoBetter #RedFlags
🚨 Heads Up: Donation Scams Are Alive and Well on LinkedIn
I was contacted by a profile, Somalia Anna, asking about “donations” and “campaign promotion.”
Problem is — I don’t have a campaign.
After a bit of digging, I noticed the same message and comments copied and pasted across multiple profiles, combined with:
A minimal profile
Minimal history or engagement
Vague questions designed to steer toward money
That’s a textbook red flag.
Suppose you’re going to attempt a scam, at least put in some effort — better profiles, better targeting, and better research. This one was sloppy and obvious.
Sharing this so others stay alert. If something feels off, it probably
is.
#LinkedInScam #ScamAlert #FraudAwareness #OnlineSafety #ProfessionalIntegrity #DoBetter
“#Nextdoor's Operation Poutine: A Very Serious Global Strategy Meeting” 🇨🇦🍟(A fictional satire)
Nirav (President):
“Okay team, pets were a great idea. They’re lovable, profitable, and—most importantly—they don’t talk back.”
Clown (nodding enthusiastically):
“Huge win. Zero comments. Maximum engagement.”
Intern:
“So… what’s next?”
Nirav:
“I was watching the Food Network last night. There was a show on poutine. I love poutine. And then it hit me—Canada!”
Consultant:
“Canada? Because of community need?”
Nirav:
“No, because the Canadian dollar is at $1.38. Tremendous value. Very efficient generosity.”
Clown:
“International kindness arbitrage. Bold.”
Nirav:
“I want to call Mark Carney.”
Intern:
“Sir… he speaks French.”
Nirav (panicking slightly):
“That’s fine. Power up the Commodore 64. Print out some French phrases.”
Intern (typing furiously):
“Uh… we have a problem.”
Nirav:
“What now?!”
Intern:
“The dot-matrix printer is out of ink ribbon.”
Clown:
(gasps)
“We can’t go international without ink.”
Nirav:
“THIS IS A DISASTER. Okay—new plan. Donate quietly. Turn off comments. No one will ask questions.”
Everyone:
“…of course.”
Clown (whispering):
“Vive la poutine.”
#Nextdoor #Satire #CorporateComedy #Leadership #Philanthropy #PoutineLogic #Commodore64 #DotMatrixDrama #CommunityTrust #DigitalEthics #Flammlandia #niravtolia
Giving in Canada — But What About Neighbors Everywhere?
I saw the news that the #Nextdoor Foundation donated $70,000 CAD to Food Banks Canada to help with food insecurity this holiday season. That’s a generous gesture for Canadians in need, and any effort to address hunger deserves recognition.
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251217532722/en/Nextdoor-Foundation-Donates-%2470K-CAD-to-Food-Banks-Canada
But this announcement also highlights a continuing disconnect between what #Nextdoor promotes and what the platform actually practices:
🔹 No comments allowed on the LinkedIn post announcing this news — even though community engagement is supposed to be core to the mission.
🔹 Communication with critics and concerned neighbors, investors, and advertisers has been nonexistent, despite repeated requests for dialogue.
🔹 There are still accounts of users suspended without a straightforward process and without accountability, particularly with the same unpaid moderators in Mount Pleasant, SC — yet engagement is celebrated only when it fits the narrative.
If food insecurity is “core to healthy and thriving neighborhoods,” then why wait for the holiday season to highlight it? Food insecurity — from SNAP gaps in the United States to rising food bank usage in Canada — is a year-round issue that affects millions and shouldn’t be seasonal or selective.
This isn’t about diminishing one good act — it’s about consistency of practice. Celebrating philanthropic giving for pets, canned food, or local causes can be great, but the company’s leadership behavior — from shutting down engagement to blocking feedback — sends a contrasting message.
Genuine community care shouldn’t hide behind no-comment policies or selective outreach. Proper neighborhood support listens, engages, and acts year-round — not just in holiday press releases.
If #Nextdoor truly believes in its mission, then transparency, open dialogue, and equitable support for all neighbors — regardless of location or spending habits — must be integral to that mission, not just a marketing strategy.
#Nextdoor #NextdoorFoundation #CommunityTrust #DigitalTransparency #Accountability #FoodInsecurity #SocialImpact #LeadershipMatters #EngagementMatters
🧠 Totally Fictional Brainstorming Session at “#Nextdoor HQ” (Satire)
Nirav (fictional parody version, clapping hands):
“Alright team, we need feel-good stories. Engagement is down. Trust is… let’s call it resting. Ideas?”
The Intern (opening laptop):
“Well, neighbors have been asking for help during tough times—food insecurity, underfunded communities, people impacted by shutdowns—”
Nirav:
“Hmm. Sounds expensive.”
Bubbles the Clown (honking horn thoughtfully):
“Honk! What about stories where nobody talks back? Honk?”
The Consultant (clearing throat):
“To genuinely boost community capital, platforms often invest in less-fortunate or emerging neighborhoods—even if it doesn’t immediately impact the bottom line. It builds long-term trust.”
Nirav (leaning back):
“Long-term? That’s… a lot of words. Also, budgets.”
Intern:
“But that aligns with the mission—neighbors helping neighbors.”
Nirav (snapping fingers):
“I’ve got it. PETS!”
Bubbles the Clown:
“🎉 PETS! 🎉”
Consultant:
“Pets are great, but—”
Nirav:
“They’re universally loved, they don’t argue in English, and they don’t comment on LinkedIn.”
Intern (quietly):
“That… explains a lot.”
Nirav (standing up):
“Perfect. Let’s partner with pets. Feel-good, low friction, high vibes. Meeting adjourned.”
Bubbles the Clown (honking):
“Honk of approval.”
When “Feel-Good” Stories Don’t Match Real Behavior
I saw #Nextdoor’s article “The Movement to Make Every Shelter a Safe Haven — and How Neighbors Are Helping.”
(https://blog.nextdoor.com/the-movement-to-make-every-shelter-a-safe-haven-and-how-neighbors-are-helping)
Yes — partnering with a no-kill shelter and supporting pet welfare is wonderful. Every animal deserves a safe and loving home. No argument there.
But here’s the contradiction:
#Nextdoor, under CEO Nirav Tolia and its C-Suite leadership, frequently publishes feel-good content about neighbors helping neighbors while simultaneously doing the opposite:
✔️ Refusing to engage on their own LinkedIn posts.
✔️ Deleting or disabling comments.
✔️ Ignoring calls for open dialogue.
✔️ Retaining anonymous, unpaid moderators with no accountability.
✔️ Blocking and silencing critics — including shareholders and neighbors asking real questions.
And when real humans were hurting — like during the U.S. government shutdown, when SNAP beneficiaries weren’t receiving benefits — #Nextdoor refused to take meaningful action to directly help the neighbors it claims to serve. That isn’t community support — that’s curated charity theatre.
So let’s ask the difficult questions:
🟢 Why promote neighborhood uplifting for pets when pets represent a large consumer segment (projected $157 billion pet industry in 2025) — but decline meaningful help for human neighbors in crisis?
🟢 Is the difference here simply economics? One community seen as a “cash cow” and one not?
🟢 How can a platform preach “neighbors helping neighbors” while turning off the very mechanisms that allow neighbors to speak, engage, and be heard?
This is not a critique of animal welfare — it’s a critique of consistency.
Feel-good headlines are easy. Doing good, especially when it doesn’t directly benefit the bottom line, is hard. That’s the real test of a community platform.
If #Nextdoor wants to live its mission — not just talk about it — it should start with:
✔️ Real engagement
✔️ Transparency
✔️ Accountability
✔️ Actions that help all neighbors — not just the lucrative ones
Let’s hold platforms and leaders accountable when actions don’t match words.
#Nextdoor #CommunityTrust #DigitalTransparency #Accountability #LeadershipMatters #NiravTolia #SocialPlatforms #DoGoodNotJustFeelGood #NeighborsHelpingNeighbors