In this discussion with Rudy Fraser, the mastermind behind BlackSky, we dive into his journey of creating a safe online space for Black communities on BlueSky. He shares insights on innovative moderation systems and community engagement strategies to combat online harassment. Rudy also tackles the technical challenges of scaling social media architecture and developing personalized feeds. Additionally, he explores sustainable funding models, highlighting his grassroots approach to ensuring financial stability while fostering a strong community ethos.

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.

Rudy Fraser discusses creating Black Sky, a custom feed for black voices on Bluesky. Topics include building personalized feeds, addressing platform flaws, benefits of decentralized platforms, risks of tech monopolies, and encouraging engagement in Blue Sky ecosystem.