The Dark Side of Social Media Algorithms and the Search for Alternatives

Ben Arc is an open-source developer and an advocate in the Bitcoin and Nostr ecosystems.

In this episode, we discuss the shift from centralised platforms like Twitter to decentralized systems, discussing how Nostr allows users to control their data and build communities without corporate interference. We get into Bitcoin’s evolution, synthesizing libertarian and socialist ideologies, the future of soft currencies, and the role of CBDCs in global economies. We also talk about the cultural significance of local currencies like the Welsh pound, the importance of free speech in a digital age, and how AI is transforming both daily life.