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a thing I surprised myself saying in a podcast recently was that I think that facebook, instagram, tiktok, etc are definitely good things. it's unfashionable to say so in some circles, and it's true that there have been some shocking things like misinformation,
but I much prefer a world with them than without, and giving everybody the ability to transmit information, while introducing what can feel like chaos, anarchy, demagoguery, etc, is a tremendous defense against tyranny, especially in parts of the world where people had no voice
This quote from Karl Paulnack deeply moved me as a teenager, and animates everything I do, and I remain convinced that there's never been a better time for artists and people who care about the public commons. Yes, there are *tonnes* of issues to deal with https://t.co/lay9GHTI94
"If there is a future wave of wellness on this planet... of mutual understanding, I don't expect it will come from a government, a military force or a corporation. [...] I expect it will come from the artists, because that's what we do." – Karl Paulnack https://t.co/WMe0auymg4
for contrast and balance tho, here is a whole thread where i repeatedly point out reasons to despise zuck https://t.co/bxTHtzxluv
we can talk for hours about what FB might or might not do and how it can be bad, and there's a side conversation about, well, what if in trying to dismantle the FB monopoly, tiktok becomes the dominant platform, and China has control over that, security, geopolitics, etc...
but what really matters to me is that citizens of the world are able to interact with each other directly. y'know? here is a russian farmer going about his day. people need to know that people are people. I think this is an existential issue for humanity https://t.co/U8r2BDy7qO
it's the most fundamental question that hardly any of the thought leaders think to ask: why should we give a shit? why bother? and it's because for all of its frustrations, this species is also bloody beautiful, and we need to see that for ourselves https://t.co/vK55YC9qlN
and here's the crazy thing: the people have the power. yes, we the people. yes, the game is rigged, algorithms, profit motive, blah blah. I'm not pretending any of this is easy or fair. but we have more power than our predecessors did in a media environment that was gatekept
we gotta stay focused (on what we want to see more of) be sustainable, not get swept up in contemptuous rage recruit, consolidate, encourage 100 year long game keep finding the others show up, don't die, don't quit https://t.co/QCM7vrkuBW https://t.co/sg4bwC3XN2
lil nerd kids around the world deserve a beautiful public commons, where they can express themselves freely, ask questions, be heard and supported. this won't be solved by corporations or governments. what it does require is people who give a shit https://t.co/rs0GiuyPwN
@visakanv Even if you don't like them, or some aspects of them or particular platforms, it is far, far better to live in a world where communication protocols are churning with chaos and innovation than one where they are lifeless and ossified.
@visakanv I mostly side with The Social Dilemma argument, but I also think ANY social media app can be good when you have self-curation and a group to chat with. At the moment, it requires A LOT of creativity to get the experience you want.