Anirban

@anirbanbiswas
5 Followers
38 Following
49 Posts
Have you seen the latest update from the #Instagram Help Center? It offers insight into how #Meta views the #Fediverse. Let's take a closer look at the highlighted text together:

"
#Threads is planning to use a protocol called #ActivityPub to connect with other servers that support this protocol. Our aim is to enable communication between Threads and users on different fediverse platforms that we don't own or control."

Now, considering everything we know about Meta and their business practices, you might wonder why they're doing this. Well, here are a few reasons that could shed some light:

1.
Regulatory pressure: While Meta is doing its best to compete with #Twitter, they also want to avoid appearing like a monopolistic force. By joining the Fediverse, they can show regulators that they are simply becoming part of an existing social network.

2.
Zuckerberg's strategy: Mark Zuckerberg has been observing what's been happening with Twitter ever since Elon Musk acquired it, and he's learned some lessons. Twitter has faced criticism for various missteps like alienating journalists, restricting API access, and even requiring logins to view tweets. Zuckerberg wants to assure people that Threads is different from Twitter and avoid those same pitfalls.

3.
Embracing social media decentralization: It's widely acknowledged in the social media industry that the future lies in decentralization. The era of closed-off platforms is gradually coming to an end. Just as Compuserve couldn't survive the open Internet, walled garden social media platforms won't be able to thrive in the open Fediverse. Meta doesn't want to become the next Compuserve.

4.
Early entry into an emerging ecosystem: Meta is eager to establish itself in the emerging Fediverse ecosystem, much like they tried to do with the Metaverse. Being an early player allows them to take a leadership position before other major players like #Google, #Apple, and #Automattic jump on board.

However, it's worth noting that there might be a personal rivalry at play here. There have been rumors of a rivalry between Zuckerberg and Musk, and it seems they don't particularly like each other. So, one could speculate that Zuckerberg might want to undermine Musk by taking down Twitter, the platform Musk acquired for a hefty sum of $44 billion.

Hope that provides some context and clarity on why Meta is making these moves.

What do you think about Meta’s Fediverse explainer?

https://help.instagram.com/169559812696339

@[email protected]
Help Center

Threads is part of the fediverse, a social network of interconnected servers operated by third parties that can communicate with each other.

I just had a look at #Meta's recent press release about #Threads, and something caught my attention right away.

For the very first time, they're acknowledging another
#Fediverse platform alongside #Mastodon. Specifically, they're highlighting that #WordPress can now connect through #ActivityPub.

Now, you know Meta's PR department doesn't say things by accident. So here's why this is a big deal. Last time I checked, WordPress powers a whopping 43% of the Internet. Yeah, you heard that right! If you visit a website, there's a good chance it's using WordPress as its CMS.

Now, if even a fraction of those WordPress sites start federating, it could have a huge impact on the network effect of the Fediverse. Of course, Meta isn't oblivious to this. I've been talking about the potential of WordPress and ActivityPub for quite some time now.

But if you're particularly observant, you might also notice that they mention
#Tumblr. We've known for a while that Tumblr is likely to integrate ActivityPub into their platform.

But here's an interesting tidbit: Did you know that one company, Automattic, not only owns Tumblr but is also the driving force behind WordPress?

I don't want to jump to conclusions, but once again, PR departments don't just drop hints randomly. I have a strong feeling that Meta has been having some high-level discussions with Automattic about the future of ActivityPub. It wouldn't surprise me if Meta has some insights into Automattic's upcoming plans for the Fediverse.

https://about.fb.com/news/2023/07/introducing-threads-new-app-text-sharing/

@[email protected]
Introducing Threads: A New Way to Share With Text | Meta

Threads is a new app, built by the Instagram team, for sharing text updates and joining public conversations.

Meta

There’s been a lot of speculation around what Threads will be and what it means for Mastodon. We’ve put together some of the most common questions and our responses based on what was launched today:

https://blog.joinmastodon.org/2023/07/what-to-know-about-threads/

What to know about Threads

There’s been a lot of speculation around what Threads will be and what it means for Mastodon. We’ve put together some of the most common questions and our responses based on what was launched today.

Mastodon Blog
@mexicancartel @[email protected] @Mastodon This article sounds to me like a scapegoat: "Our OSS software failed, but not because it was too nerdy and people preferred a commercial software, but because we didn't wall off our OSS."
Ironically, this philosophy of supporting widespread blocking in the #fediverse fundamentally contradicts the core philosophy of openess of #OSS.
#threads #meta #mastodon

I should add that on #Mastodon, it's very helpful to use hashtags.

I tend to include #science & #history in my posts, but I've also created hashtags to keep related posts easily accessible.

For example, #HistoryRemix is a series highlighting diverse pioneers in science & the arts. #SharedPlanet is all about the biodiversity of life on Earth.

The #fediverse is different than other social networks bc we get to build & curate our experience. It's us, not an algorithm. /2

Long, Difficult Process Of Identifying The Dead Prolongs Grief & Horror For Odisha Train-Crash Families

A month after a three-train wreck in Balasore, Odisha, killed over 290 people on 2 June, 52 bodies are yet to be identified. As mostly low-income families wait in Bhubaneswar for the result of DNA testing, they sift between two sets of images—those of the mangled faces and bodies they have seen and the smiling ones saved on their phones, some sent minutes before the accident. While their poverty demands they return to work, desperate calls from home ask whether they will soon have the solace of the last rites.

#odisha #balasore #OdishaTrainAccident #IndianRailways #MigrantLabourers #MigrantWorkers #poverty #india

https://article-14.com/post/long-difficult-process-of-identifying-the-dead-prolongs-grief-horror-for-odisha-train-crash-families-64a22a67e80d1

Long, Difficult Process Of Identifying The Dead Prolongs Grief & Horror For Odisha Train-Crash Families — Article 14

A joint effort between lawyers, journalists, and academics, Article14 provides intensive research and reportage, data and varied perspectives on issues necessary to safeguard democracy and the rule of law.

Why a civil engineer in TN strived for a year to have her street’s name changed

Anusuya, a 28-year-old civil engineer from Indira Nagar in Ariyalur district, led sustained efforts over the past year to have her area’s name officially changed by removing caste identifiers.

#TamilNadu #ariyalur #dalits #CasteDiscrimination #segregation #HumanRights #activism #caste #casteism #india

https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/why-civil-engineer-tn-strived-year-have-her-street-s-name-changed-179262

I've seen 2 or 3 posts in my TL re: App Store privacy info for Threads vs. Mastodon. https://mastodon.social/@jsq/110653072170221591 for example.

I feel like people greatly misunderstand the App Store privacy labels. They're not at all a ground truth you should read without careful interpretation.

- Entirely self reported
- No consistent auditing or data quality enforcement by Apple
- Very vague, both on the scope of categories and what's "collection"
- "May be collected" is a "worst case" statement.

(cont)

Updated Apollo to give it that Tweetbot treatment 🤝
@dansup is it currently possible to migrate (including all posts, likes, comments etc...) from a Pixelfed server to another?