This paper introduces the concept of "general peer" as an alternative to the concept of the "public sphere." It situates the concept in the context of the concept of "profilicity" indicating a profile-based mode of identity. The purpose of the paper is to outline the concept of the general peer in detail and to show its relation to the relevant social theories by Niklas Luhmann and Jürgen Habermas. It also aims at illustrating the concept with concrete examples from the academic system and the arts/mass media. The paper suggests that the concept of the general peer describes actually existing forms of the public better than the concept of the public sphere. It relates the general peer to second-order observation and functional differentiation prevalent in contemporary society.