I built One Bottle, a small web experiment.
The rule is simple: every person gets exactly one image or video upload.
No edits. No retries. No likes. No comments. No profiles. No timestamps.
Once uploaded, the bottle is sealed and can’t be changed.
How it works
Uploads are only open until Jan 1, 2026 (PST)
Each account can upload once
Content is reviewed to block illegal, political, or explicit material
Viewers open bottles at random, like a blind box
Each user can only open a limited number per day
Bottles don’t repeat
After 2026, uploads close forever. The site becomes a fixed archive of what people chose to leave behind in 2025.
Why build this?
Most platforms optimize for engagement. This one removes it.
The constraint of “one chance” changes how people choose. Without feedback loops, metrics, or visibility, the content feels… quieter.
Some bottles are personal. Some are boring. Some make no sense.
That’s kind of the point.
What it’s not
Not a social network
Not a feed
Not a place to grow an audience
Nothing here improves with scale.
Built as a personal project and now fully live.
Curious how this resonates (or doesn’t) with HN. Happy to answer technical or design questions.
— @linghuchong