My problem with the discussion around platforms as public services is that it results in control and access by authorities. It would be better, in my opinion, to look at converting platforms to cooperatives. Especially in the EU. You can create an EU cooperative called the SCE [1]. The cooperative approach ensures democratic control by its members, allows for generation and reinvestment of revenue. It is the better model, in my humble opinion.
1/6
Every time you say "the state or the EU should step in" to create something, I will immediately ask back "and when the state or EU becomes authoritarian, what will THEY do with all that power and collected data?". I think really hard about that question, because the risk is real. How can people be against ChatControl but demand platforms as public services at the same time? It doesn't make sense to me.
2/6
The cooperative approach seems to me to be a good compromise between ruthless, egoistic capitalism, a possibly dangerous authoritarian state and the so badly needed open and democratic structures for platforms and other parts of the stack that forms our society. The most robust defence against authoritarian power is decentralisation. Centralised solutions are always cheaper to be abused. By companies or by authorities.
3/6
Decentralisation drives up the cost of abuse. Solutions based on open standards, with verified interoperability as a fundamental, non-negotiable requirement are my preferred approach. The cooperative system and its democratic control are the preferred vehicle in my opinion. Not foundations. I will commit myself this year to work on that. Feel free to join!
4/6
My vision is that in the future you can put your money where it really helps. By becoming a coop member of the coops that play a role in your real/digital life. No middlemen, no Patreon, KoFi etc. You become a member. You have a vote. You can leave at any time and get your money back, but that will be the exception. It also doesn't need to be money. Time can also be a currency in the coop. Invest enough time and you become member. Many possibilities.
5/6
And to make it explicitly clear: Tech/Platform coops are just one part. What we are already seeing everywhere are local energy coops where citizens join to install solar panels, wind turbines and shared storage like batteries, hydro. There is also the traditional neighbourhood coops where citizens join to run a local pub, shop, sports club etc. Housing coops have a long tradition too. So actually it's the tech world that is running behind on this ;) Let's catch up!
6/6
@jwildeboer our local #carsharing service #TeilAuto also became a co-op this year. They are starting to accept members from April.
Looking forward to co-owning and continuing to contribute some of the mobility of the future. Haven't owned a car for more than 30 years (even with 3 kids).
https://teilauto.net/beitrag/genossenschaft-wir-schlagen-ein-neues-kapitel-auf
Seit Jahren erzählen wir Ihnen von unserem Vorhaben, teilAuto in eine Genossenschaft umzuwandeln. Seit Jahresmitte arbeitet unser Kollege nun daran, das Projekt konkret auf den Weg zu bringen. Hier stellen wir Ihnen das Unternehmensmodell Genossenschaft vor und räumen vielleicht das eine oder andere Missverständnis …
@jwildeboer with my @theasf background I appreciate the 'invest money or time' angle.
With the CRA at the back of my head, your description of cooperatives as an alternative to the black and white of for profit Vs state owned sounds very appealing.
@jwildeboer You might find the following sites interesting.
Jan Wildeboer 😷
Bill Seitz
roland
Michael Hunger 🇺🇦
MaineC
Michael Cramer
Mark
The Penguin of Evil