@irwin Twitter was owned by a very rich man before Musk. It is run by fabulously wealthy people. Who make many times the average American income, and who live in one of the most expensive areas in America.
A public square requires access for all to openly debate a topic. All side should be able to speak. All sides should have a seat. Then people can choose who is right from the strength of the arguments.
@irwin Twitter didn't allow this. Twitter regularly banned people who didn't follow their ideas. There was no debate. There was no public square even before Musk.
I highly doubt Mastodon will be a true public square. It might be less strident then Twitter, but will there be a seat for all sides.
@Geekhomestead @irwin well said, both replies. The OP and hundreds of responses made me wonder if I’ve ever really seen a good example of “public square” in terms of free speech. Maybe on college campuses.
Anyway, it’s plausible and there are precedents for private money buying something and converting it to a public asset.
irwin
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