Conversation

The era of #Mastodon being “small and comfy” is now over.

Because the #SocialWeb is the only space where actual decentralization of social media happens, and to that end, it’s time we invite actual marginalized people over here – regardless of whether they’re a “cultural fit”.

Why? Because #Russia is demanding that Elon Musk hand over names of dissidents, and it’s highly likely he will do it.

This isn’t the only time state actors have made this demand, but Big Social is now happily acceding to them.

Some folks believe that my advocacy of a bigger Social Web makes me a dirty capitalist. On the contrary, allowing the likes of #Facebook and #Twitter to own the public square is actual capitalism. Surveillance capitalism at that.

The power of a social network is only as good as its network effect. If Mastodon remains small, its impact will be minimal. But if it’s large? Then true democracy might just be preserved.

https://www.thetimes.com/world/europe/article/russia-elon-musk-list-names-dissidents-usaid-s798gktd7