Two months ago, I was doom-scrolling through news about global division and realized: we're more "connected" than ever, yet lonelier than we've ever been. Every friendship app is just Tinder mechanics applied to platonic relationships. Endless swiping. Dead conversations. No commitment.

So I built Eintercon with one controversial feature: you get exactly 48 hours to chat with a match, then you both decide—continue or move on. No ghosting allowed.

Why 48 hours? It's personal. Five years ago, I hesitated for 48 hours before messaging someone on Facebook who became my mentor and changed my life trajectory. That window taught me something: constraints create commitment. Urgency forces presence.

Why international-only (for free users)? Because you can't hate someone whose story you know. I matched a user from Kenya with someone from South Korea over their shared obsession with obscure sci-fi. They've been talking for three weeks now. That wouldn't happen if we let everyone stay in their local bubble. The controversial parts:

Forced decisions - After 48 hours, both people vote. If either says no, it's over. People tell me this is "too harsh." I think ghosting is harsher. No local connections for free users - You can only match internationally unless you pay. People say I'm "limiting" the app. I say I'm forcing cross-cultural connection.

Interest-based only - No location data, no "people nearby," no "mutual friends." Just: do you both love analog photography? Then talk.

Current status:

200+ users across 30+ countries Built in one month Zero marketing budget 40% of matches result in continued friendships Users report "first real friend in years"

The big question I'm grappling with: Am I engineering connection or just adding more friction? Does urgency create genuine relationships, or does it just gamify them differently?

Some users love the pressure. Others hate it. One person told me the 48-hour countdown gave them anxiety. Another said it saved them from months of dead-end pen-palling.

I'm genuinely unsure if this is brilliant or broken.

What I'd love feedback on:

Is the 48-hour window too aggressive? Too short? (I've considered 72 hours, but that feels too safe)

Am I wrong to force international-only for free users? (most apps instead let users pay for international connections)

How do you prevent this from becoming another performative "networking" tool?

Should friendship apps even exist, or am I solving a problem technology created?

The uncomfortable truth: I built this because I'm lonely too.Maybe I'm building this for myself. Maybe that's okay. What do you think? Am I onto something or just creating another digital hamster wheel?

Show HN: Eintercon – I'm forcing people to decide on friendships in 48 hours