An interview with Rabble, a key figure in Twitter's creation, discussing decentralized social media protocols, decision-making in groups, key recovery in communities, and self-sovereign identity systems. They explore challenges in Africa and Argentina, diversity in community platforms, and the Hypercore project on the Nostrovia platform. The conversation also touches on Bitcoin development, tech industry insights, living abroad, and EU regulations.
Lessons from Argentina's economic collapse showcase innovative strategies like dual currencies and asset reliance.
Noster aims for diverse community inclusion through varied governance rules beyond typical crypto demographics.
Noster's focus on user-controlled platforms and privacy mechanisms align with decentralized social networking trends.
Deep dives
Rabble's Insights on Odeo's Transition to Twitter
Rabble shares valuable insights on being the first employee at Odeo, the company that later became Twitter. The discussion centers around the origin story of Twitter, involving Noah Glass and Evan Williams, and how the lack of registering the app name 'Evan' during Twitter's launch was overlooked. Personal anecdotes from Rabble's time at Twitter, including meeting Evan Williams and the small Twitter community during early stages, provide a unique perspective on Twitter's conception.
Comparison of Scuttlebutt and Noster Protocols
The conversation delves into the comparison between Scuttlebutt and Noster protocols. As Rabble explains, both protocols share similarities in key aspects like social media messages based on key pairs and signed messages. Notable differences include Scuttlebutt's lack of relays, leading to direct user connections and a linked list message structure. Noster's adaptation of relays aims to resolve issues like scale, content moderation, and enabling diverse governance rules among relays for enhanced user experience and community control.
Self-Sovereignty with A-H-A-U Identity System
A-highlighted discussion focuses on the A-H-A-U platform developed by Maori community for self-sovereign identity management. As Rabble elaborates, the A-H-A-U app allows Maori individuals to control their identity via a unique self-sovereign identity platform. The Maori's utilization of Scuttlebutt's network to establish Raspberry Pi-based nodes at Marais, creating private group hierarchy, showcases a distinct approach to self-governance and identity verification through networking technology.
Navigating Economic Realities in Argentina
Rabble recounts experiences during the economic collapse in Argentina, highlighting the intricate challenges faced by locals. The conversation traces the drastic measures taken post-collapse, such as the forced currency conversion and limited ATM withdrawals, leading to a new exchange system based on physical goods. Observations on the dual currency system in Uruguay and the significance of physical assets in combating hyperinflation offer unique insights into economic resilience strategies during crises.
Noster's Community-Centric Approach for Diverse Adoption
Rabble discusses Noster's strategic approach towards fostering community diversity and inclusivity beyond the typical Bitcoin demographic. By expanding Noster's reach to non-crypto users, focusing on varied user needs, and promoting different community norms and governance rules, Noster aims to facilitate broader adoption. The emphasis on user-controlled platforms and the introduction of diverse community rules align with Noster's vision of decentralized social networking and inclusive participation across different user groups.
Future of Crowdsourced Governance and Privacy Solutions
The discussion shifts to the transformative potential of crowdsourced governance and privacy mechanisms in overcoming societal challenges. Rabble reflects on the critical role of Noster in enabling varied governance models for community norms and behavior regulation. By highlighting the importance of self-sovereign identity, moderation tools for user content, and algorithm choice empowerment, Noster's forward-looking approach aligns with the growing need for decentralized, user-centric social platforms with enhanced privacy and diverse governance options.
Noster Community Relay Innovation
Noster introduces a new type of relay fostering community connections, where users can join based on shared interests. This approach simplifies onboarding through community approval mechanisms resembling Facebook group entry questions to preempt spam. Users actively moderate these relays, establishing bespoke rules for niche interest groups like electric vehicle enthusiasts, creating a more dynamic and engaging online environment.
Enhancing Scalability with Relay Management Tools
To ensure app store compliance and sustained growth, development focuses on creating management tools for relays rather than building new relay software. These tools enable relay operators to promptly address content reports, crucial for platform integrity and retention. By facilitating effective content oversight, Noster aims to prevent potential bans from major app stores through responsive moderation and tailored community policies.
Empowering Media Access and Monetization
Innovations include a community-focused web interface allowing users to explore specialized content streams within interest-based relays. Users can control content visibility and access, potentially monetizing premium media through microtransactions utilizing web tokens. This initiative parallels the emergence of paid content trends, offering diverse payment models for content offerings like exclusive newsletters, photos, and videos within the Noster ecosystem.
Seizing Opportunities for Diverse Revenue Generation
Exploration of revenue streams within Noster includes solutions for integrating lightning payments and identity verification into social platforms. Business models extend beyond traditional advertising, encompassing memberships, paid relays, and community-centric services unlocking revenue potential. Noster's ecosystem cultivates a platform for subscription-based content, incentivizing creators and developers through innovative features and revenue-sharing mechanisms.
Reflecting on Twitter's Strategic Shifts
Drawing from past experiences at Twitter, critical reflections highlight the pitfalls of centralizing control over third-party apps. The decision to acquire and monopolize client applications led to stifled innovation and user engagement, inhibiting the growth of the platform. Lessons learned underscore the importance of fostering collaborative partnerships and aligning incentives to sustain long-term growth and community-driven ecosystems.
Navigating Technological Innovations and Business Strategies
Discussions touch on the cultural and regulatory landscape surrounding tech startups and funding models. From the rise of decentralized technologies to navigating venture capital dynamics, the conversation reveals the intricate balance between innovation, governance, and financial sustainability in the tech industry. Insights shed light on the evolving landscape of technology entrepreneurship and the implications of strategic decisions on platform development and user engagement.
This week we have a discussion with @rabble, who played a significant role in the creation of Twitter and some even say was Jack's boss.
He has decades of experience with social media companies and protocols, and a very broad perspective from his global experience in technology and business. Rabble now brings this experience to Nostr!
