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>1. All social media platforms are required to share APIs to allow other platforms (e.g., Diaspora, Mastodon, etc.) to pull as well as post content from/to the

>1. All social media platforms are required to share APIs to allow other platforms (e.g., Diaspora, Mastodon, etc.) to pull as well as post content from/to the larger platforms; Genuinely cool idea, but how would this work from a technical perspective? And if anyone could cross-post content on any platform, wouldn't the platforms argue that it violates their right to control content on their platforms? And what happens if you get a concerted effort across platforms to block individuals based on political/moral stances? Within 2 days (I think) Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Redit and others have suspended and/or blocked content from Trump and various Trump supporters. The ex-first lady is asking "big-tech" to take additional actions, whatever that means.

nobody9999 6y ago
>Genuinely cool idea, but how would this work from a technical perspective? These platforms already have APIs to share content between servers within their networks. Just provide an interface for external servers. >And if anyone could cross-post content on any platform, wouldn't the platforms argue that it violates their right to control content on their platforms? That's what federation is for. As long as I can authenticate to my account, what difference does it make whether a post is interactively entered or sent via an API? Those platforms still have their own TOS, so they can decide how or if they want to moderate any individual post. Something along the lines of Diaspora[0] or ActivityPub[1] federation. >And what happens if you get a concerted effort across platforms to block individuals based on political/moral stances? Within 2 days (I think) Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Redit and others have suspended and/or blocked content from Trump and various Trump supporters. The ex-first lady is asking "big-tech" to take additional actions, whatever that means. That's the beauty of a decentralized environment. I can host my own federated server or connect to any other federated server. Presumably, someone will be willing to host your content. And if not[2], you can do it yourself. The best part is you can control where your data is shared and who gets to see it. If you don't want the big boys to host your stuff, you can use federation to share with others on those platforms. All of which can democratize the environment and allow you to be in control of your data, not the rapacious scumbags that run FB or Twitter. [0] https://diaspora.github.io/diaspora_federation/ https://diaspora.github.io/diaspora_federation/ [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ActivityPub#Federated_(server-to-server)_protocol https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ActivityPub#Federated_(server-... [2] https://xkcd.com/1357/ https://xkcd.com/1357/
- molbioguy 6y ago
  Thanks for the explanation. Sounds like it would be a move in the right direction. I think the weak link is that until there is true competion, the big platforms will simply exercise their rights to ban posts from people they dislike regardless of how they arrive. Small platforms won't have equivalent reach. But it's a starting point. I wish I shared your optimism. The level of censorship currently being imposed and surprisingly supported by news media is frightening and disheartening. Twitter just permanently banned Trump claiming that his tweet declining to attend the inauguration was inciting violence!? Scumbags indeed. I wonder if HN moderators will shadow ban me for this comment that mentions Trump?
  - nobody9999 6y ago
    >small platforms won't have equivalent reach. Unless you're trying to create a gigantic following (presumably to make money), why would that matter? If you're utilizing social media to communicate with your social circle (family, friends) and you can federate the platform you're on, they can see your content on your site in the same feed they see others' content on their sites too. With federation, the content can be stored on any platform, with hooks to pull in into your feed. At that point, the differentiators are UX quality, level and type of moderation, data licensing model and tracking/spying/ad components. In this model, those who choose to host their own content and/or support node(s) which cater to your needs have a distinct advantage over those that don't. Want to read Trump's blather or bask in the sweet glow of alternate facts? Host/find a node that will host such garbage and/or federate with other nodes that will. Want to send photos of the kids to Grandma? There can be (or you can host) a node that's got you covered. Want to discuss Barn owl husbandry? There can be a node for that. Gotta have those furry circle jerk videos? Natch. In a decentralized environment, there's always a place for everyone.
    - molbioguy 6y ago
      > Unless you're trying to create a gigantic following (presumably to make money), why would that matter? Is that what you think this is about? Money? Censorship is almost always about power and the desire to destroy opposition. It is a means to instill fear and stifle the discussion of any 'unpopular' ideas. It separates people. Money comes later. I have few issues in communicating with friends or family. But now I have to think twice about what I say in public. Conversations must be limited to topics approved by the tech giants and the people who hold power. And I can't easily hear what a lot of other people say. It's definitely limiting. McCarthyism again? Your solutions are interesting but don't address the problem I'm interested in. Thanks for the thoughtful discussion.

nobody9999 6y ago

>Genuinely cool idea, but how would this work from a technical perspective? These platforms already have APIs to share content between servers within their networks. Just provide an interface for external servers. >And if anyone could cross-post content on any platform, wouldn't the platforms argue that it violates their right to control content on their platforms? That's what federation is for. As long as I can authenticate to my account, what difference does it make whether a post is interactively entered or sent via an API? Those platforms still have their own TOS, so they can decide how or if they want to moderate any individual post. Something along the lines of Diaspora[0] or ActivityPub[1] federation. >And what happens if you get a concerted effort across platforms to block individuals based on political/moral stances? Within 2 days (I think) Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Redit and others have suspended and/or blocked content from Trump and various Trump supporters. The ex-first lady is asking "big-tech" to take additional actions, whatever that means. That's the beauty of a decentralized environment. I can host my own federated server or connect to any other federated server. Presumably, someone will be willing to host your content. And if not[2], you can do it yourself. The best part is you can control where your data is shared and who gets to see it. If you don't want the big boys to host your stuff, you can use federation to share with others on those platforms. All of which can democratize the environment and allow you to be in control of your data, not the rapacious scumbags that run FB or Twitter. [0] https://diaspora.github.io/diaspora_federation/ https://diaspora.github.io/diaspora_federation/ [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ActivityPub#Federated_(server-to-server)_protocol https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ActivityPub#Federated_(server-... [2] https://xkcd.com/1357/ https://xkcd.com/1357/

molbioguy 6y ago
Thanks for the explanation. Sounds like it would be a move in the right direction. I think the weak link is that until there is true competion, the big platforms will simply exercise their rights to ban posts from people they dislike regardless of how they arrive. Small platforms won't have equivalent reach. But it's a starting point. I wish I shared your optimism. The level of censorship currently being imposed and surprisingly supported by news media is frightening and disheartening. Twitter just permanently banned Trump claiming that his tweet declining to attend the inauguration was inciting violence!? Scumbags indeed. I wonder if HN moderators will shadow ban me for this comment that mentions Trump?
- nobody9999 6y ago
  >small platforms won't have equivalent reach. Unless you're trying to create a gigantic following (presumably to make money), why would that matter? If you're utilizing social media to communicate with your social circle (family, friends) and you can federate the platform you're on, they can see your content on your site in the same feed they see others' content on their sites too. With federation, the content can be stored on any platform, with hooks to pull in into your feed. At that point, the differentiators are UX quality, level and type of moderation, data licensing model and tracking/spying/ad components. In this model, those who choose to host their own content and/or support node(s) which cater to your needs have a distinct advantage over those that don't. Want to read Trump's blather or bask in the sweet glow of alternate facts? Host/find a node that will host such garbage and/or federate with other nodes that will. Want to send photos of the kids to Grandma? There can be (or you can host) a node that's got you covered. Want to discuss Barn owl husbandry? There can be a node for that. Gotta have those furry circle jerk videos? Natch. In a decentralized environment, there's always a place for everyone.
  - molbioguy 6y ago
    > Unless you're trying to create a gigantic following (presumably to make money), why would that matter? Is that what you think this is about? Money? Censorship is almost always about power and the desire to destroy opposition. It is a means to instill fear and stifle the discussion of any 'unpopular' ideas. It separates people. Money comes later. I have few issues in communicating with friends or family. But now I have to think twice about what I say in public. Conversations must be limited to topics approved by the tech giants and the people who hold power. And I can't easily hear what a lot of other people say. It's definitely limiting. McCarthyism again? Your solutions are interesting but don't address the problem I'm interested in. Thanks for the thoughtful discussion.