was B (this is my old account)Apr 1, 2017
I know people always get overly optimistic about the ability for decentralized systems to weaken our dependence upon or even displace major, for-profit centralized ones...
but gosh darn I hope Mastodon and the federation can do it!
Show threadwas B (this is my old account)Apr 1, 2017
I hope we can continue to grow social communities outside of the predatory model of digital ad revenue, but to do this we must keep thinking about how to make these spaces available to and accessible by non-web-technical folks.
Show threadmkbApr 1, 2017

@b_cavello That was part of the motivation behind App.net: adverts place the company's interest in opposition to the users. By charging for the service their interest and the users' interest were aligned. Unfortunately not enough people shelled out, though I was a fan.

Of course charging users presents its own accessibility hurdle. Many cannot afford another bill.

What's the fix? Lower price? Freemium? Crowdfund? Grants? I sometimes joke that the US Gov't should nationalize Twitter.

Show threadwas B (this is my old account)

@mkb Yeah, as long as we are in a system of capitalism, how to approach accessibility is an ongoing struggle. :(

Recommended donations can help, but it kinda relates to how easy it is for people to donate. (I confess: sometimes I am prepared to give until I see the donation form and all the info they ask for, and I'm like "nevermind!")

Apr 1, 2017 at 5:11pmWeb