About Me

Hello, I'm Ben Marino – a software engineer, researcher, and advocate for digital wellness.

My journey to founding SociallyFed began at the intersection of two seemingly different paths: technology and mental health. Having worked as a programmer since 2005, I've witnessed firsthand the evolution of our digital landscape and its increasingly profound impact on our daily lives and well-being.

In 2018, I embarked on a Master's degree in Technological Futures at Tech Futures Lab, driven by a curiosity about how emerging technologies were reshaping our world. What began as academic research soon became a personal mission when I started examining the parallels between how we consume food and how we consume digital media.

This exploration led to the development of the "Socially Fed Pyramid" – a framework for understanding and improving our digital diet. Just as the food pyramid helps us conceptualize balanced nutrition, the Socially Fed Pyramid offers a model for healthier digital consumption.

Professional Background

My technical expertise has been shaped by over 20 years of experience building web applications, APIs, and data-driven platforms. Throughout my career, I've worked with organizations like:

LinkSoft Pty Ltd - Developing real-time job management software for large vehicle fleets
StudySpy - Leading development of an educational platform serving 70,000 student searches monthly
Nielsen - Designing and implementing television audience measurement solutions
IQD Limited - Serving as Technical Director for browser-based software development

This technical foundation gives me a unique perspective on the mechanisms behind digital platforms and how they're designed to capture and maintain our attention.

Education & Research

Master of Technological Futures (Tech Futures Lab, 2022)
My research focused on conceptualizing what a healthy social media diet might look like, culminating in the development of the Socially Fed Pyramid.
Practical AI for Developers (DevAcademy, 2023)
Exploring how artificial intelligence can be leveraged ethically to improve our digital experiences.

My research has been presented at the academyEx Research Symposium, where I discussed the implications of artificial intelligence on our digital consumption patterns and proposed frameworks for more mindful engagement with technology.

Mental Health Advocacy

Beyond my technical work, I'm passionate about mental health awareness and advocacy. I've completed several endurance challenges to raise funds for mental health initiatives:

Completed the New York Marathon in 2018, raising $6,146.00 for the New Zealand Mental Health Foundation
Ran the Auckland Marathon in 2017, raising $4,013.86 for the New Zealand Mental Health Foundation
Finished the Tarawera Ultra Marathon 2015 / 2019 (102 kilometers)
Finished the Taupo Ultra Marathon 100 kilometers 2018 (3 weeks prior to the New York Marathon)

These fundraising efforts have been officially recognized by the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, as documented in a formal testimonial from Shaun Robinson, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation.

These experiences taught me firsthand about discipline, resilience, and the profound connection between physical activity and mental wellbeing – lessons that deeply inform my approach to digital wellness.

The SociallyFed Mission

At SociallyFed, my mission is to empower individuals to take control of their digital consumption through:

Education: Providing frameworks and research to understand the impacts of different types of digital engagement
Tools: Developing resources that help people assess and improve their digital habits
Community: Building a space where we can collectively explore healthier relationships with technology

I believe that technology should serve human flourishing, not diminish it. The problem isn't technology itself, but how we engage with it. By becoming more conscious digital consumers, we can harness the benefits of our connected world while minimizing its potential harms.

Connect With Me

I welcome conversations about digital wellness, technology ethics, or how we can build more humane digital environments. You can reach me at:

If you're interested in having me speak at your event or organization about digital wellness and the Socially Fed Pyramid, please reach out – I'm passionate about sharing these ideas with diverse audiences.

Thank you for visiting SociallyFed. I hope the resources here help you cultivate a healthier relationship with technology and social media.

"Just as we've learned to be mindful about what we eat, it's time we become equally thoughtful about what we consume digitally."