When the internet felt at its most impersonal, Tyler Bainbridge built something that felt human. Perfectly Imperfect began in 2020 as a Substack where friends traded recommendations, and grew — slowly, then suddenly — into a platform for taste-based connection. Today, people use PI.FYI to share what they love with people they like, and nearly 200,000 read the newsletter that sparked it. The ecosystem keeps expanding: the “Events” feature dropped in August as a cleaner, friendlier Partiful alternative, and next up is “Scenes,” a new way for PI.FYI’s subcommunities to take shape. It’s an unusually positive corner of the internet.

Where do you go to find peace?

I normally ride my bike to Rockaway Beach, but the most peaceful I’ve ever felt was in the mountains on the Greek island of Kefalonia.

What’s the last article you sent to a friend?

Daniel Kokotajlo, Scott Alexander, Thomas Larsen, Eli Lifland, Romeo Dean’s comprehensive forecast of AI over the next two years.

What’s the worst recommendation someone’s given you?

“You should make your Instagram graphics more accessible.”

What’s the best investment (money, time, habit) you’ve made?

Getting into bowling. I bought a ball last December and I’ve been addicted ever since. It’s really great to see growth and progress. It’s also just a nice thing to look forward to every week.

Write us a fortune cookie.

Hug someone you love.

Find Tyler on Cosmos and Instagram.