WP Tavern #186 – Dave Winer on Decentralisation, WordPress and Open Publishing
13 snips
Sep 24, 2025 
In a captivating conversation, software pioneer Dave Winer explores the evolution of the web and its lost idealism. Known for his contributions to RSS and podcasting, he shares insights on the dangers of walled gardens and advocates for open standards. Dave introduces his new project, WordLand, a Markdown-based writing tool designed for decentralized publishing. He emphasizes the importance of user control, compatibility, and how RSS can redefine social feeds, empowering writers to reclaim their digital freedoms in an increasingly siloed landscape.
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Early Run-In With Steve Jobs
- Dave recounts meeting a young Steve Jobs and arguing about which product Jobs should choose.
- The exchange left regrets but shaped his early Silicon Valley career.
Web Means Permissionless Interop
- Dave Winer argues the web's core value is interoperability: anyone can add features without permission.
- He says linking and open hooks are essential to call a platform "the web" rather than a silo.
Idealism Missed Incentives
- Winer says early web idealism underestimated human incentives that drove centralisation.
- He believes platforms must enable competitors or they don't deserve users.