Bluesky users discover that even “federated” & “distributed” platforms exhibit “lock-in” due to “network effects”; and “cognitive dissonance” ensues…

I’ve been saying for years that the argument — popular if oversimplified* in digital activism — that “network effects of mass adoption of popular platforms cause a form of lock-in monopoly” is bogus, not because it’s untrue but because it’s mundane and reflects some fundamental aspects of human communication.

And here come Bluesky users with supporting evidence:

If the arguments (“tyranny of the default”) are invariant with respect to the architecture, maybe the issue is independent not the architecture? Perhaps popularity is just an emergent phenomenon, and people are not so much “locked-in” as using “whatever works for the moment?”

It’s not like there’s a privately owned piece of wire running into their house and preventing them from using any alternative, people are free to use whatever they agree amongst themselves for communications purposes.

u/FrankoIsFreedom: If you don’t like the moderation… take your followers with you … THATS THE ENTIRE POINT OF BLUESKY […]

u/SundaeTrue1832: My brother in Christ the majority are not tech savvy and just want alternative Twitter without the bigots and nazi

u/yuusharo: That’s great, except that the default moderation that applies to the vast majority of users who are never going to know what a PDS is or why it’s important could prevent your followers from seeing your posts or even discover your account. Changing who hosts your PDS doesn’t impact the so called tyranny of the default. This is why it is important for Bluesky to work with the community when shaping their rules and address their concerns rather than wave them off dismissingly.

Source post for this discussion:

https://www.reddit.com/r/BlueskySocial/comments/1now263/if_you_dont_like_the_moderation_take_your/

[*] example oversimplification quote from 2019; yes “skeptical” but also my emphasis of the unrealistic “either/or” position:

0:29:49 CD: I don’t use any Facebook products, you know? I think that Facebook does have this incredible advantage that is separate from its monopoly advantage, which is the network effect. I am skeptical of network effects as the kind of central explanation for how we ended up with these monopolies, but the network effect of like everyone on your kids’ little league team is using Facebook to organize games means that you either take your kid out of little league or you get a Facebook account. That clearly works to Facebook’s favor.

#atProtocol #bluesky #contentModeration #distribution #DSA #federation #moderation #monopoly #networkEffect

Are liberals abandoning #BlueSky for #X?

That’s what the headline reads in this #NewYorker article which forces the reader to consume #NateSilver musings before approaching the headline subject

Alternative #SocialMedia such as BlueSky or #Mastodon has seen a decline in posting volume following an initial anti #Twitter surge

The big question is why many liberals remained or have chosen to return to X given #Musk toxicity. Is it simply the #NetworkEffect?

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/infinite-scroll/social-media-is-navigating-its-sectarian-phase

The 10 Nebula Award Winning Sci-Fi Novels You Must Read

…
https://www.themarysue.com/the-10-nebula-award-winning-sci-fi-novels-you-must-read/

#Books #2312 #AncillaryJustice #Annihilation #networkeffect
@indieauthors

The upshot is "Howard’s entire channel has now been deleted by YouTube, which cited copyright infringement." #ALPHA aka @Google cloaking #censorship of significant misleading public claims by powerful people as "Copyright infringement."

I wonder when enough people will pitch Alpha's services in revulsion of their support of the fascists and science deniers, and what needs to happen to make it easy for people to leave. And I wonder how the #Fediverse might enable this.

#NetworkEffect is a powerful trap - and it will take people far more creative (and tech savy) than I am to build the tools to transition - tools that ordinary mortals (and especially their parents/grandparents [yes I know, that's ageismm, but I'm old]) can easily use.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/31/fda-official-youtube-videos?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

"Confession: I didn't know what the engines were supposed to look like, exactly. I'd never had to guard a transport's engines, and they were usually too boring to show on the entertainment media."

#murderbot, #NetworkEffect (by @marthawells)

me (visions of #StarTrek #LowerDecks swimming through my mind): but that's where the warp core is! everyone loves the warp core! it makes soothing sounds!

@bookstodon #audiobookstodon

10 Hugo Award Winning Sci-Fi Books You Need To Read

If you don't, Hugo will be sad.
https://www.themarysue.com/10-hugo-award-winning-sci-fi-books-you-need-to-read/

#Books #ADesolationCalledPeac #HugoAwards #networkeffect #Redshirts
@indieauthors