britone mwasaru

In a previous blog post, I delved into the complexities of decentralization, particularly in the context of setting up and maintaining decentralized social networks.

The passage of time has brought new thoughts to the forefront, igniting a fresh perspective that I’m eager to explore.

I’ve been pondering the concept of smaller, more specialized social networks catering to distinct shared interests. The substantial amount of time invested in crafting content for today’s dominant social platforms comes at a cost – our data is meticulously observed and utilized for targeted advertising, spawning a myriad of issues. This prevailing business model has led tech giants to conduct experiments that manipulate user emotions, as detailed in this article: Link to Forbes article on Facebook’s emotional manipulation.

It’s disconcerting that we’ve become mere data points ripe for experimentation and sale to advertisers. The fundamental flaw lies within the business model of these tech giants, wherein driving ad views reigns supreme, prompting them to resort to various tactics to maximize engagement.

I find myself drawn to the notion of small, interest-centric networks supported by community funding, fostering a deliberate selection process for members and cultivating a culture of responsible conduct. When the focus isn’t fixated on amassing sheer numbers, there’s no incentive for exploitative ‘growth hacking’ strategies or the relentless pursuit of revenue.

This vision evokes the spirit of ‘chamas,’ where like-minded individuals converge to support each other financially, forming tight-knit groups with shared goals and values.

Looking at trying this out soon for a number of small communities.