Decoder with Nilay Patel Rewind: Can Mastodon seize the moment from Twitter?
4 snips
Jul 25, 2023 
Join Eugen Rochko, the founder of Mastodon, a pioneer in decentralized social media, and David Pierce, Verge editor-at-large, as they dissect the changing landscape of online communication. They explore how ActivityPub technology could redefine social media interactions and the competition Mastodon faces from upcoming platforms like Meta's Threads. The discussion touches on community governance, the tension between venture capital and open-source values, and the unique challenges of content moderation in decentralized networks.
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Mastodon's Origin and Purpose
- Mastodon started in 2016 because Eugene Rochko believed Twitter's importance warranted decentralized control.
- It's free, open-source software creating interconnected servers, enabling diverse social media platforms.
Mastodon's Company Structure
- Rochko is Mastodon's CEO, leading the company developing the software.
- It started as a solo project, expanding to include contractors and a design agency.
Scaling Challenges and Priorities
- Mastodon's recent growth requires increased staffing and delegation.
- Rochko prioritizes key roles like DevOps and design for maximum impact with limited budget.