[adamjwalker]

There is a new platform that helps groups have social updates without social media. It's all through email. https://www.togetherletters.com/

That may be worth a shot.

[muzani]

I don't think it'll solve the problem. The fun is sitting around and gossipping. Memes are a form of gossip. Debating about The Godfather 3 is gossip. Or coronavirus daily cases.

HN is great at this. A topic crops up, reading the topic is optional, all the gossip are in the comments.

Emails seem like a really poor platform for gossip.