When I picked the title for this blog, I know I am stirring the pot. But you know what? The more I dive into the endless scroll of tags, the more I read about all the new projects popping up, the excitement they generate, and then the inevitable backlash, finger-pointing, and virtue signaling that follow, the more convinced I become that I'm onto something. It's been a wild ride these past few weeks, seeing how quickly things can go from innovative to controversial, from promising to problematic. It's like watching a never-ending drama unfold, with each act more tangled than the last. This whole experience has solidified something in my mind: “I don't think anyone really knows what they're doing.”
The Definition of Fediverse is Subjective
Trying to understand the Fediverse feels like chasing shadows – it's confusing and pretty frustrating a lot of the times. When we talk about the Fediverse, what are we really talking about? Is it just a fancy word for a certain tech trick, or does it include any website where you can connect with others but not through the big-name platforms? And what about the rules of the game – does it only count if it uses #ActivityPub, or do places using the #Diaspora protocol also get a seat at the table?
This confusion isn't just annoying; it's a big roadblock to development. If we can't even agree on what the Fediverse is, how are we supposed to talk about why it's good, what problems it has, or what it could become? Even more, how do we simplify it for those who just aren't techie people? It feels like we're all trying to play the same game but can't agree on the rules. This makes it super hard to explain why people should care about these alternative social media spots.
And this isn't just talk. For people trying to use these platforms, it matters a lot in figuring out what to expect when they log in. For the folks building these platforms, it's about knowing what they're aiming for and who they're talking to. Without a clear idea, we're all just stumbling around in the dark, trying to make sense of a space that could change the way we hang out online.
Have we not seen the most common questions on reddit? Understanding how it works and there never is a simple explanation.
In a World of Supposed Coexistence, purist rhetoric still exists.
The moment you first get online, it's like walking into a room where everyone knows the secret handshake except you. There's this sense of gatekeeping that's hard to ignore. Inventors and bright minds come forward with fresh ideas aimed at making the Fediverse a better place, but instead of being met with open arms, they're often shut down. It's disheartening, really. Peer pressure mounts, and attacks fly left and right, burying new concepts before they even have a chance to breathe. It feels like we're our own worst enemies sometimes, letting fear of change dictate who gets to contribute and who doesn't. It's always an accusation of: “You're not being respectful to [INSERT SPECIFIC SUBSET OF INHABITANTS].” No solution. Just yelling.
And now, with corporations starting to poke their heads through the door, eager to carve out their piece of the pie, it feels like the gatekeeping is only intensifying. It's as if we're tightening the noose around our own necks, suffocated by our collective apprehension. The irony is thick; in a space that prides itself on decentralization and freedom, we're boxing ourselves in, governed by an invisible rulebook that favors the status quo over innovation. If we're not careful, we're going to strangle the very essence of what made the Fediverse such an appealing alternative in the first place. Our fear of the unknown, of losing control to corporate interests, might just be the thing that holds us back from evolving.
The False Expectation of Privacy
You know what annoys me the most? It's the sheer misunderstanding of what privacy means in this space. Folks flock to the Fediverse, lured by the promise of a haven from the prying eyes of mainstream social media, thinking they've found privacy's secret garden. But here's the kicker: they couldn't be more exposed if they tried.
When you post something to the public timeline on the Fediverse, you're not just whispering in a secluded alley; you're essentially grabbing a megaphone and broadcasting your thoughts in the digital equivalent of Times Square, under the brightest of spotlights. This isn't a cozy, gated community where everyone knows your name and privacy is respected by default. No, it's more like you've set up a billboard with your thoughts, photos, and data, not realizing that this system is designed to keep that billboard circulating far and wide.
And here's where it gets even more tangled. Despite the Fediverse's openness, it seems like not everyone got the memo on how public 'public' really is here. They lay out their digital lives for all to see, then seem shocked when their information ends up in corners they never intended it to visit. That's why the smarter spaces in our Fediverse universe have started to emphasize the importance of private and unlisted features. But even then, it's like pulling teeth to get people to use them.
This brings me to a point I can't hammer home enough: personal responsibility. Everyone to start taking their own online protection seriously instead of laying that burden at others' feet. Sure, we're part of a community—a digital society where ideally, we look out for one another. But let's be real; this isn't a utopia where a select few guardian angels manage our safety for us. In the Fediverse, just like in the real world, we've got to work together, yes, but also take charge of our own digital footprints. It's on us to navigate this space wisely, using the tools at our disposal to carve out our corners of privacy. Because at the end of the day, if you're not looking out for yourself, who will?
We are a Confederacy
I do not say that to invoke flashbacks to the American Civil War or the antebellum period. I’m referring to the system of government. The definition of a Confederation government is: “political union of sovereign states united for purposes of common action. Usually created by a treaty, confederations of states tend to be established for dealing with critical issues, such as defence[sic], foreign relations, internal trade or currency, with the central government being required to provide support for all its members.”(1)
We are a Confederation.
For example, the #fedipact is an example of one side of the fediverse trying to answer the question of what to do about Meta. They created a treaty, and a lot of instances signed up for it. Others did not which is their perogative. The point was that someone had actually created a plan to try to solve the issue the way they wanted. This gives instances multiple different avenues of approach to handle a situation they think would be the best.
We cannot stop the corporations or the bad actors from coming here. With enough perseverance, anyone can keep showing up. It's only through treaties and keeping each other informed that we can protect our “nation states”.
The digital world doesn't stand still, and neither can we. With entities like Bluesky on the horizon, developing their own protocols to mesh with ours, the stakes are only getting higher. There's a palpable fear that Bluesky might try to dominate, to impose their will and their protocols over ours. Yet, what do we gain from letting fear dictate our actions? If history has taught us anything, it's that fortresses built from fear are the first to crumble.
Instead of drawing battle lines in the sand, it's time for instances, both big and small, to shed the “my way or the highway” mentality and start forging working relationships. Let's learn from Bluesky, meet them where our protocols can mesh, ensuring they respect the sanctity of unlisted and private settings. If Bluesky—or any newcomer, for that matter—aims to take over, they'll find themselves grasping at straws. Why? Because we didn't buy into their proprietary playbook. We took the high road, the smart road, by sticking to our principles without isolating ourselves. We opened the door with rules and if they behave, let them participate.
In essence, the future of decentralized social media doesn't just depend on our ability to stand firm on our individual islands but on our willingness to build bridges between them. It's about creating a network of alliances, a Confederation in the truest sense, where unity and autonomy don't just coexist but strengthen each other. Now, more than ever, it's time to embrace that spirit of collaboration. After all, in unity, there's strength—strength to adapt, evolve, and withstand whatever the digital tides throw our way.
We Need to Get Along
In the grand, tumultuous world of decentralized social media, if there's one mantra we should all be chanting in unison, it's “Let's get along.” (and no. I'm not talking about the bastard nazis, TERFS, and other evil shits that try to get on. We can't stop them but we can force them to stay in their own holes.)
Think about it—our strength, our very essence in the Fediverse relies on the bridges we build and the connections we forge. Imagine a world where ActivityPub bumps into Diaspora and says, “Hey! I'm ActivityPub. Got something here I need to pass on to your folks. Can you help make it understandable for them?” And vice versa. Picture Bluesky tossing their digital messages into the mix, and instead of a communication breakdown, we have ActivityPub and Diaspora acting like seasoned translators, ensuring everything is clean, compatible, and safe for all parties involved.
But how do we achieve this level of interoperability? By establishing easy digital borders where data isn't just tossed over the fence in the hopes someone on the other side catches it, but is instead carefully interpreted, translated, and handed over in a manner that everyone can understand and appreciate. This isn't just about making nice for the sake of harmony; it's about ensuring the Fediverse remains a vibrant, dynamic space where ideas and information flow freely and safely across platform lines.
Let's face it: corporations are a fixture in our digital landscape. Wishing them away is as futile as trying to hold back the sea with a broom. We can't barricade the doors and hope they'll just disappear. But what we can do, as a digital Confederation, is to set the terms of engagement. We can establish our boundaries, our rules of interaction, that allow us to engage with these corporate entities on our terms. It's about not just coexisting but thriving, by ensuring that when these giants step into our realm, they do so with respect for the values and principles that define us.
Will those be different? Yes. That's the nature of the beast. Some instances will not allow Bluesky or meta to talk to them but that doesn't mean they should force that on other instances who want to see their members interact with us.
In essence, building these bridges and setting these borders isn't just an act of defense; it's an assertion of our identity, our autonomy, and our vision for a federated digital world. It's a clear message that while we welcome the flow of ideas and innovation, we do so on the foundation of mutual respect and understanding. By fostering this environment, we not only protect the integrity of the Fediverse but also pave the way for a future where decentralized social media isn't just an alternative but a preferred, respected standard in the digital age.
References
(1): Wikipedia contributors. (2024, February 23). Confederation. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21:53, February 23, 2024, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Confederation&oldid=1209828498
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Jonathan S.
