90% of my timeline is on Threads is all stuff I don't even follow, while Bluesky is exactly what I ask for. Decentralized platforms are the only way to go, even if it's the centralized version and vision. The Zucc way of ramming (overly) suggested content and ads down your throat will die if there are alternatives.
Just federated identity, like OpenID. It doesn't necessitate distributed systems with communicating backends, like Mastodon or Usenet, just that it allows the user to bring their own IdP and therefore to have "sovereignty" to verify their own identity across platforms. The alternate route is to have users cryptographically certify their registrations post-hoc, e.g. Keybase
They've launched the 'sandbox' which is the federated/decentralised dev/staging environment. So yes, you can run your own PDS (server) and have it federate with others, but it's still very much in development and 'here be dragons'
Considering that "followed only" is far simpler to build, that's a pretty lame excuse and doesn't do anything to change my opinion about whether they're priorities are healthy.
I’m not a fan of that decision either. But I can understand why they added it first. Otherwise, when you sign up, you have empty feed and it’ll take a long time for you to get enough of content, as others subscribe, you follow them and they start posting.
With this decision they ensured you have content from the day one. Often irrelevant (which is risky), but TBH, I’ve found their algorithm to be ok. I’ll drop it as soon as possible, but for v0, I’m ok with it.
A less uncharitable interpretation of the parent comment is that decentralized platforms are the only way to guarantee personal freedom, save a saintly BDFL or government regulation. Not likely to happen.
The “even if it’s the centralized version” is an acknowledgement that some users may prefer centralization, or the platform is still too young to usefully decentralize. As long as there is a way out, or a credible plan, freedom is preserved.
The third Matrix succeeded due to choice—even at the subconscious level.
