The Sunday Show
Building Middleware for Bluesky: A Conversation with Blacksky Founder Rudy Fraser
Mar 3, 2025
Rudy Fraser, founder of Blacksky Algorithms and a fellow at Harvard's Berkman Klein Center, dives into the world of social media middleware. He shares his inspiring journey from a childhood passion for video games to creating tools for user autonomy in digital spaces. The conversation reveals the challenges of building Black Sky, a platform designed for Black users, focusing on community support and effective moderation. Fraser emphasizes the importance of decentralized approaches to counter misinformation and foster safe online communities.
37:58
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Quick takeaways
- The development of middleware, like Black Sky Algorithms, aims to decentralize social media for increased user control and democratic engagement.
- Rudy Fraser's journey emphasizes resilience and community support in navigating challenges within the tech industry and fostering inclusive digital spaces.
Deep dives
The Role of Middleware in Social Media Decentralization
Decentralization and the development of middleware are seen as key strategies to redesign social media platforms for enhanced user autonomy and control. Middleware tools can provide users with more agency in how they engage with digital spaces, contributing to a more democratic and pluralistic online environment. The episode emphasizes this concept through the discussion of Black Sky Algorithms, a middleware initiative designed specifically for the Blue Sky platform. The tools created by Black Sky aim to foster safer and more supportive interactions for Black users, reflecting a broader movement toward rethinking social media dynamics.
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