Dave writes very eloquently that centralisation (e.g. one Facebook, one Twitter) creates clear Achilles heels for news networks, especially. I think he’s right that people need to have a piece of their own infrastructure on the internet, just as most people have some ability to do limited DIY around the house.
A fractional horsepower news network is not the way to sell it to end users, but I don’t think that was the point. The key is that the self-owned infrastructure shouldn’t feel like hard work. This is what (e.g.) Dropbox does so well.
I already post to Facebook and Twitter from this blog rather than directly, and try to flow comments back out to my blog where they are backed up. Imagine that we all did this without it seeming hard? What would that internet look like?
I’ve tried to help friends get their own domain names so they aren’t at the whim of their ISP and location in terms of how and where to get email. Next step, how to get more internet infrastructure into their own hands.
Hi Tom. I’m a long time reader, first time scriber. That’s because, as you know, I am an utter luddite. BUT, finally, I actually think I understand one of your blog posts! And I think I agree. (This speaks volumes about my ludditery more than anything else, so please tell me if this is the right response). Yours in the dangerous bliss of ignorance, etc., etc.
Hi Tom. I’m a long time reader, first time scriber. That’s because, as you know, I am an utter luddite. BUT, finally, I actually think I understand one of your blog posts! And I think I agree. (This speaks volumes about my ludditery more than anything else, so please tell me if this is the right response). Yours in the dangerous bliss of ignorance, etc., etc.
postscript: my technological ludditery shows in the fact that I seem to have managed to post the same comment twice: once to facebook and once to your blog.
No, you are all good. My blog cross-posts comments for you wherever you enter them.
Nice work for a Luddite (which of course you are not).