The Internet is best when we remember that using a centralized platform is a choice. That other websites exist. That we can even create other websites, new ways of interacting and cooperating. We don’t have to be handcuffed to any one platform. We need to be reminded of the freedom we had all along.
@Robotbeat Ditching the "Mothership" model would go a long way. Just make it all peer-to-peer connections. No "servers."
@Robotbeat "Federations" have attackable public nodes that can be attacked or blocked. It's ok for now, but as with so many things, if Government doesn't like it, it will tend to put the squeeze on to control or eliminate it. And I'm not aware of any social projects thinking strictly in terms of "no mothership" at this time. They might have a place if they existed.
@Romaq Well, I mean, if you want to go to the extreme of trustlessness and decentralization, you kind of need something like a blockchain... (which is hyper-inefficient). I've thought a lot about how you could create a simple Twitter clone just by putting messages on, like, the Litecoin or Dogecoin blockchain. People could parse the blockchain for messages from people they "follow." Uncensorable. Totally decentralized. (Very inefficient.)
@Robotbeat The IT Security Saw: "Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean everyone ISN'T out to get me!" In that instance, efficiency is a less a consideration. And somehow TOR manages without being on a blockchain.
@Romaq I'm okay with the federated model, TBH. There are things to be said for all types of organization/hierarchy/non-hierarchy.