Sometimes, these companies" (big tech) "really are looking out for your interests. They have armies of moderators and security experts who block innumerable threats to your data, your identity, and your physical safety. But those companies will never block you from their own leadership: when your interests conflict with their plans, the fortress walls that keep bad guys out become prison walls that lock you in.
I know that this was a pretty popular article on the fediverse, but i just think its so well written.
What a well written paragraph. I love the analogy with fiddler on the roof as well. Subject matter is of course interesting to a denizen of AZ.
Yeah, theres also people in my life who have previously been forward leaning into new and independent tech platforms, that have remained quite passive about moving in the direction of the fediverse/social web.
Its been a question for me why they’re quite passive. This article’s discussion on collective action gives me a possible insight into their thinking.
If they’ve been so forward leaning previously, maybe they feel too invested in where they are for the trouble.
I think there’s also entrenchment in the history we build up on a site. Yesterday Facebook reminded me that it’s been 12 years since we took in a stray cat our neighbours had been looking after. We have many fond memories of that cat, but it was nice to have something external bring up that initial memory of first bringing him into our house. Today’s “memories” include silly quotes from siblings. There are old discussions to look back on. I’ll miss that sort of thing as well as the people. Fully setting up on a new platform (and leaving Facebook) feels like starting over, and inertia is hard to overcome.
Yep. Theres a sense of personal loss there that the excitement of people like me previously overlooked.