Erin Kissane is a writer and researcher focused on the fediverse, while Darius Kazemi is a senior engineer at Harvard's Applied Social Media Lab. They discuss the challenges of decentralized governance and the potential impact of the 2024 U.S. Presidential election on network building. The conversation touches on user migration to platforms like Bluesky and the importance of interoperability. They explore sustainable business models for these networks and advocate for user-centric approaches to data safety, emphasizing collaboration in enhancing the fediverse's ecosystem.
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insights INSIGHT
Focus on Human-Centric Networks
Focus on building better networks for humans, not proving points after disruptions.
Improving connections, avoiding manipulation, and accessing better information remain crucial.
insights INSIGHT
Blue Sky's Appeal
Blue Sky's user-friendly signup process attracts more users than the Fediverse's complex onboarding.
People seek simpler network experiences.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Fediverse Priorities
Prioritize private group discussions and their governance.
Establish clear protocols for invitations, moderation, and conflict resolution.
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Unlike traditional social media, the fediverse operates without a central authority. This creates a unique set of challenges and opportunities for how it’s governed.
Luckily, there are thoughtful stewards who want to see decentralized social media succeed in the most human — and humane — fashion. Two of the most prominent are Erin Kissane, a writer and researcher working on new networks, and Darius Kazemi, a senior engineer at the Applied Social Media Lab at Harvard University.
Earlier in 2024, the pair researched and wrote a 40,000-word report on governance in the fediverse. Now they are deep in other projects designed to move the fediverse forward, including Erin’s new studio devoted to network work and Darius’ Fediverse Schema Observatory (software built to enhance the ecosystem’s interoperability while being sensitive to user data). You’ll hear about these projects and more in the latest episode of our Dot Social podcast.
Highlights of the conversation include:
The impact of the 2024 U.S. Presidential election on this work
Thoughts on the migration to Bluesky
A model for how to socialize software in the fediverse
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