Elena Rossini ⁂11h ago

RE: https://mas.to/@Aubreader/116330793703168577

This article is a must read.

An excerpt: “Why would anyone fund an Atmosphere project if #Bluesky, with $100 million in the bank, might ship a competing feature at any moment? Why would a founder bet their career on this ecosystem? The presentation didn't just hurt Graze. It made the entire ecosystem look unfundable.”

Why do I keep bringing up this topic?

Because #ATproto is often put in the same category as #ActivityPub (“open protocols yay”) but I strongly disagree with that stance

Show threadMike Fraser
@_elena Some grey beard tech wisdom here. Back in the day the big tech players would set up a sales channel, invite you to be a partner, incentivize you and then after you built your channel they'd promptly screw you over and steal the customers. You'd know when you received an email about "exciting changes for channel partners". This is the same behavior. Mikes first law of tech business, big tech always screws the channel. Or should we say in 2026 big social always screws the community.
2:03pmWeb
Show threadjulian4h ago

@[email protected] do you think this is a result of the corporate atmosphere from back in those days?

I (perhaps inaccurately) feel like as of the 2010s, if you were nimble enough to outcompete an entrenched incumbent, the playbook would be to acquire your company.

Show threadMike Fraser2h ago
@julian You're thinking too big, like startup VC mode. I'm talking small company in the trenches selling stuff to SMBs then your big tech partner comes in and says thanks for the clients your end is now close to zero.
Show threadMastodon Migration4h ago

@mike @_elena

"Minutes after saying "look at all the amazing work from our community," Bluesky said "look how excited we are to eat our young."

Dad told a story about a lawn mower manufacturer in the early 1900s. They made a great lawn mower, and sold 1000 of them per year. They were approached by Sears Roebuck and got an order for another 1000 doubling their business. Then Sears wanted 5000. They borrowed heavily and expanded. Then 10,000. Then 50,000. You see where this is going.

-more-

Show threadMastodon Migration4h ago

@mike @_elena

Sears showed up one day and said they were renegotiating the deal and were only going to pay 75% of the price per mower. The company had no choice, but to accept even though they were now losing money on each unit sold. Then suddenly Sears began offering their own mower, and stopped buying any at all and the company, full of debt, was ruined.

Same as it ever was...

Show threadMike Fraser2h ago
@mastodonmigration @_elena He who can destroy a thing, controls a thing. - Dune