The Slow Hunch Jay Graber (CEO of Bluesky)
Apr 2, 2025
Jay Graber, CEO of Bluesky, previously a digital rights activist, shares insights on decentralization and its transformative potential for social media. She discusses Bluesky's origin story, emphasizes user choice, and highlights the significance of protocols that empower users. Jay delves into the trade-offs in systems design and how Bluesky aims to create an open, extensible platform, offering flexibility and innovation when users don't like the changes. Their vision challenges traditional social media, advocating for community-driven and customizable experiences.
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Decentralization for User Control
- Decentralization should focus on user value, prioritizing choice, customizability, and the ability to exit when dissatisfied.
- Blue Sky designs a federated republic model allowing users to pick moderation and service providers to match their preferences.
Jay's Path to Blue Sky
- Jay Graber started as an external decentralized social researcher before leading Blue Sky.
- Her college background in science, technology, and society helped shape her perspective on technology's social role.
Systems Trade-offs in Social Media
- New internet systems often centralize, causing discontent and motivating experiments toward decentralization.
- The evolution of social networks requires balancing centralized efficiency and decentralized innovation.
