The only use-case I've found for which the public newsfeed feature is, in fact, a feature, is gambling pools where not everyone necessarily knows everyone else

The only use-case I've found for which the public newsfeed feature is, in fact, a feature, is gambling pools where not everyone necessarily knows everyone else well enough to have contact info. Keeps the ledger viewable by everyone, keeps everyone honest (they just have to be careful not to mention that it's for gambling, in the memo). Seeing it used that way was a real "a ha!" moment. I'd love to know what Venmo's activity looks like around the time that people are putting together or paying out office sports brackets and such.