I agree with the sentiment, that the metrics of independence and self-reliance aren't the same as for economic success. On the other hand, "not taking off" also

I agree with the sentiment, that the metrics of independence and self-reliance aren't the same as for economic success. On the other hand, "not taking off" also means that not enough people know or care for solutions that require some effort. I take that statement to mean that self-hosting or open-source "free" solutions have not managed to in any way stop companies like Meta to amass most of the planet into their walled ecosystem and to fight the network effect. I'm a long time trail runner. I joined a group last year. I sort of had to join Whatsapp and Instagram to stay up to date. I take "taking off" here as in not having to join Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or any other surveillance cesspool to be able to communicate with the people I need to to be able to live my daily life. From that viewpoint, the indieweb is failing to be enough of an alternative for regular people to consider it a default go-to for daily usage. And I wish it was.