Published 5 months ago | 2 min read

Maybe Musk's DOGE Isn't the Nightmare I Expected

(But Let's Not Get Too Excited)

When I first heard about the DOGE project, I was ready to throw my laptop out the window. The initial proposal read like a Silicon Valley libertarian fever dream - taking Musk's chaotic "move fast and break democracy" Twitter approach and unleashing it on federal agencies. Great, I thought, just what we need: more tech bros thinking they can "optimize" public institutions into oblivion.

But here's the weird thing - when you actually dig into what DOGE has morphed into, it's basically just USDS with a meme-worthy rebrand. For those not deep in the civic tech weeds, USDS was Obama's attempt to drag government technology out of the 1990s, inspired by the UK's actually-functional GDS program. And let's be real - government tech procurement is an absolute dumpster fire right now. We're talking billions wasted on projects that would make a CS101 student cringe, while the average American has to navigate websites that look like they were designed on GeoCities.

The deeply ironic thing is that Musk - for all his cosplaying as a technocratic messiah following in his grandfather's footsteps of dreaming up an antidemocratic technocratic state - actually has some relevant experience here. SpaceX did figure out how to work with government contracts without producing $500 million paperweights, and Tesla somehow gamed clean vehicle incentives into birthing the first new major car company since we invented radio.

Look, I'm the first to roll my eyes at Musk's wannabe-fascist posting sprees and his perpetual "I'm the main character of capitalism" energy. But speaking as someone who's banged their head against the wall of government technology modernization for years - if he actually focuses on the tech and keeps his brainrot political takes to himself, maybe DOGE could do some good?

Even Jen Pahlka, who basically wrote the book on government digital services, is cautiously optimistic. The services Americans get from their government are objectively terrible, and the procurement system is trapped in an infinite loop of failure. Maybe - and I can't believe I'm typing this - Musk's particular flavor of disruptive tech deployment could help?

Just... please, for the love of all things agile, let's keep him focused on the actual technology and far away from any more attempts to recreate his grandfather's dreams of a technocratic dystopia. We've got enough of those already.

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Published 10 months ago | Edited 10 months ago | 4 min read

On Nostr Delete

Why Nostr’s delete is a critical aspect of the protocol that works and protects privacy.

nostr delete

Published 12 months ago | Edited 12 months ago | 5 min read

On Nostr, extremist views and the ability to build an inclusive digital space

In light of the recent Business Insider article discussing Jack Dorsey’s funding of Nostr, it's important to address some inaccuracies and invite open discussion about the platform. While the true identity of Nostr's creator, fiatjaf, remains unknown, the core principles of Nostr emphasize decentralized control, preventing any single entity from dominating the network. This decentralized architecture contrasts sharply with traditional corporate social media platforms that often suppress diverse viewpoints, including those of leftist activists and the LGBTQ community. At Nos, we are committed to empowering users with control over their accounts and content, fostering an environment free from algorithmic manipulation and central censorship. This approach aims to protect free speech while providing user-led moderation tools to mitigate harmful content, paving the way for a more open and inclusive digital space.

Published about 1 year ago | 4 min read

A look at Project Liberty and DSNP. The Emperor has no clothes.

The Digital Standard Networking Protocol (DSNP) and its ambitious backer, Frank McCourt, have recently made headlines with plans to acquire TikTok, but a closer look reveals a troubling reality. Despite years of development and tens of millions of dollars in funding, DSNP remains shockingly underdeveloped, embodying a classic case of vaporware. While the intentions behind DSNP and Project Liberty are commendable, their execution falls woefully short, marked by minimal progress and a lack of essential features, leaving many to question how so much effort and investment could yield so little.

Social Media

Published about 1 year ago | Edited about 1 year ago | 8 min read

Why has Bluesky grown bigger than Nostr?

Bluesky and Nostr, two emerging social media platforms, are navigating different growth challenges as they attempt to reshape the digital communication landscape. Bluesky, benefiting from its Twitter spinoff status and robust initial press coverage, has managed to attract 5.5 million users by positioning itself as a user-friendly, socially responsible protocol. In contrast, Nostr, with its strong ties to the Bitcoin community and a focus on anti-censorship, appeals to a more niche market of 800k to 1.3 million users. Both platforms face unique hurdles: Bluesky with its need for more inclusive moderation policies, and Nostr with the challenge of expanding its user base beyond crypto-enthusiasts and those disenfranchised by other platforms. The future of these platforms depends on their ability to innovate and adapt to the diverse needs and expectations of today’s digital citizens.

nostr bluesky essay protocols

Published over 1 year ago | 3 min read

My Experience with trolls, and choosing to silently leave a community in order to avoid them.

After getting hit by a car, I faced a choice on the Wellington Cycling Group's Facebook page: share my story and endure a barrage of negative comments from anti-bicycle trolls, or remain silent. This experience sheds light on the impact of hostile online interactions and the power of user-controlled spaces like Nostr, where I found a more welcoming environment. We need to figure out how we handle these digital challenges and the importance of creating a space for free speech AND safe online communities.

nostr freespeech censorship harassment abuse trolls

Published over 1 year ago | 3 min read

Bluesky Proposal

Bluesky has successfully built a vibrant community of 600,000 users on its initial test server, but faces challenges reconciling its vision of an open, decentralized protocol with the community's desire for a more managed social environment. This proposal suggests maintaining the existing server as a standalone entity while launching a new, open atproto network. Users could choose between the two, maintaining their identity across both platforms. By potentially transferring management of the existing server to its users and exploring various funding options, Bluesky could align with its original vision of empowering communities, while still accommodating diverse needs and upholding the open protocol.

bluesky commons fediverse

Published about 2 years ago | 9 min read

The Fleeting Utopia: Navigating the Euphoria of New Digital Communities

This essay explores the exhilarating sensation of joining new digital communities, drawing parallels to real-world experiences and crises, and unpacks the challenges of sustaining the initial utopian fervor amidst growth. It emphasizes the critical need for designing digital spaces that prioritize community control, collective ownership, and participatory governance. The narrative then shifts to the case study of Bluesky, a digital community grappling with scalability, shifting norms, and the need for effective governance. By championing community involvement in decision-making processes and citing the Design Justice movement as a viable model, the essay underscores the importance of collaborative problem-solving in maintaining the vitality of digital spaces.

commons bluesky social media nostr platforms community protocols utopia

Published about 2 years ago | 3 min read

Solarpunk AI and Social Ecology: Cultivating the Democratic Garden

TL;DR: LLM AI has the potential to revolutionize democratic governance in online communities by improving communication, promoting inclusivity, enabling participatory decision-making, and providing valuable insights that could be applied to broader societal contexts.

solarpunk ai democracy community social ecology llm chatgpt