Code Story: Insights from Startup Tech Leaders S11 Bonus: Evan Henshaw-Plath (aka Rabble), Rabble Labs & Verse
Jul 17, 2025
Evan Henshaw-Plath, aka Rabble, is a pioneering tech founder known for creating Odeo, the precursor to Twitter. He dives into his journey of developing Rabble Labs and the push for decentralized social media protocols. Discussing the challenges faced post-Elon Musk's Twitter acquisition, he emphasizes the need for user privacy and community empowerment. Rabble also shares insights on the evolution of team dynamics in startups and his advocacy for digital rights, showcasing his unique blend of tech expertise and activism.
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Evan’s Open Social Media Journey
- Evan was upset when Twitter shut down its open API in 2012, limiting innovation without permission.
- He explored alternative protocols like Secure Scuttlebutt to rebuild open social media without centralized control.
Agentic Programming's Transformation
- Agentic programming with AI changed software development constraints and collaboration.
- Smaller teams can build complex apps quickly by interacting conversationally with AI instead of traditional process.
Chorus App Hackathon Anecdote
- Evan’s team built Chorus app in a Swiss chalet in one week as a prototype for social collaboration with crypto wallets.
- They built fully functioning social app features like crowdfunding and trust with AI assistance, not heavy coding.
