The Fediverse Six Months From Now

This discussion will reflect on the state of the fediverse some six months after this abstract was written. Probably, it will depict the fediverse as a response to the abuse of centralized networks such as Facebook and Twitter. It will most likely outline and highlight major differences between ActivityPub-based networks (eg., Mastodon, Lemmy) and AT Protocol networks (Bluesky), and maybe mention things like Nostr and Diaspora, if they’re still around. If anything new comes up, we’ll discuss that too. But of more significance, we’ll look at some of the core issues underlying the fediverse, pointing to solutions if any have been found by then: identification and identity persistence, data and scale issues, and connection and consensus. If Blockchain has risen from the dead we’ll discuss the role it pays in decentralized networks. Also how artificial intelligence can play a role in content creation, selection and filtration. Finally, assuming we still have any, we will look at the key ideas of agency and community underlying the desire to have networks that are not controlled by Elon Musk (or his robot successor) and the role these play in learning and development. Failing any of that, we will discuss why decentralized social networks are illegal and how it’s harmful to the state to have forums where people can discuss the discredited concepts of diversity, equity and illusion, as though the nonsense about diversity making is stronger and more resilient could possibly be true.