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The problem with a possible EOS-based Twitter competitor isn't the "EOS-based" but the "Twitter competitor."
Network effects are enormously powerful. New networks arise not b/c of ideology but b/c some alternative social experience that compels behavior shift. /cont 👇
Network effects are enormously powerful. New networks arise not b/c of ideology but b/c some alternative social experience that compels behavior shift. /cont 👇
Facebook offered something different.
Instagram offered something different.
Tik Tok offered something different.
It's certainly not impossible that a new Twitter-like thing becomes the thing.
But it *IS* almost impossible that the reason for switch would be ideology. /2
Instagram offered something different.
Tik Tok offered something different.
It's certainly not impossible that a new Twitter-like thing becomes the thing.
But it *IS* almost impossible that the reason for switch would be ideology. /2
To date, the risk of deplatforming simply has not outweighed the cost of leaving the network. What's more, for those for whom it does, there are already options, see: @getongab @MastodonProject etc /3
Whenever we ask whether social network X is susceptible to disruption by a decentralized alternative, we need to ask "what downsides of centralization are so high that people would suffer the costs of network exit?" /4
In other words, the value of networks is who is there.
ANY new network, no matter how awesome, can't compete on sheer breadth of participation.
This means network exits costs are real, and powerful. /5
ANY new network, no matter how awesome, can't compete on sheer breadth of participation.
This means network exits costs are real, and powerful. /5
To the extent that any current platforms are vulnerable, I tend to think it's those where the consequences of network monopoly power are growing real costs that are borne directly by network participants, such as Amazon taking a growing cut of sales from independent sellers. /6
In most big social networks, the business model happens behind the scenes and away from the user. Even violations of trust are not experienced but informed about later. No matter how many angry articles there are about Zuckerberg, this is hard to capitalize on to compete. /7
Is it impossible that there is such a profound and sustained shift in expectations around privacy, data, platform access etc that this current crop of social networks eventually loses?
Sure, but that's a generational shift. /8
Sure, but that's a generational shift. /8
What's more likely is that a new crop of entrepreneurs embody that philosophy, believing that what we mean when we refer to "decentralization" needs to be built into the ethos & architecture of the network from the beginning, at once invisible to the user and yet, omnipresent. /9
The reality is the hook for these new networks to attract users will almost certainly not be that ethos.
Like with every other key platform, it will be some different social experience that we didn't know we wanted, but once we have it, find it unimaginable to go without. /10
Like with every other key platform, it will be some different social experience that we didn't know we wanted, but once we have it, find it unimaginable to go without. /10
The good news is that people are actually thinking about this. For a very long time, the idea of competing with the social network giants was laughable. Entrepreneurs today are emboldened by new ideas and a ripe market. /11
So, an EOS-based Twitter competitor?
I'm totally open to it. But show me what features - what amazing new social experiences - make it compelling enough for me to cut the time I spend here, with the network where everyone already is.
Principle is not enough. /end
I'm totally open to it. But show me what features - what amazing new social experiences - make it compelling enough for me to cut the time I spend here, with the network where everyone already is.
Principle is not enough. /end
*possible oops
Related thread - @balajis on the development patterns of new tech/new products
