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Software · Civic discovery

Turning local problems into a place to start.

A problem discovery network built around evidence, practical constraints, and a path to contribution.

Application in development
Surface Level discovery interface
From the project archive: the discovery interface, built around finding a problem worth investigating. ↗ Open full size
Surface Level mobile discovery screen
Discovery on a smaller screen. ↗ Open full size
Surface Level mobile problem detail
A closer look at an individual problem. ↗ Open full size

Why I started here

I’m interested in the step before the build: finding a problem that deserves attention. Surface Level is my attempt to make local problems easier to explore, with evidence and practical ways to contribute close at hand.

The decision behind the interface

Experiencing a problem, observing it, and wanting it investigated are different signals. I wanted the product to preserve those differences. The same thinking applies to sources, uncertainty, and funding: each should be inspectable, not buried behind a compelling headline.

Where it stands

The application is in development. The screenshots show an earlier discovery interface from the project archive; the current codebase extends the idea with account-backed actions, research workflows, and moderated media. The next useful test is whether someone can find a credible first action.