Nostr solves the problem of distributing immutable unencrypted textual data in a decentralized, censorship-resistant way, aka kind1. I believe it’s the best design for this kind of problems.
However, people try to solve other problems that are either or all of
1. Encrypted data (DMs)
2. Non-textual / multi-media data (images / videos / streaming)
3. Mutable data (configurations, lists, collections)
Then we see an ocean of ineffective hacks.
A better approach for an application vendor, indie or group, open or close sourced, solo or funded, is to just use Nostr for its strength and implement other parts in more suitable ways.
Nostr does not need to become the carrier of everything. If it does one thing extremely well, it will flourish.
quoting note1e8g…wk8fWhy Nostr is struggling…
There is too much of an overlap with X, not only in the feature sets among the primary applications, but more importantly, in the kind of audience that Nostr is catering to.
Sure..censorship resistance at the protocol level is a differentiator, but the to the average person, you may as well be talking gibberish. They don’t know wtf a protocol is in the first place - let alone why it matters for censorship resistance to happen at that level, or more importantly, WHY they should trust Nostr to deliver on that promise. “Bcoz jack (npub1sg6…f63m) said so” is not an argument.
————
Bluesky is a case in point here.
It’s got a VERY similar feature set to X, claims to be open source / censorship resistant (similar narrative to Nostr), and is growing MUCH faster than Nostr, bc it has captured a key audience, ie; people with TDS and EDS (Elon Derangement Syndrome).
https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/bluesky-signups-surge-uk-amid-musks-row-with-government-over-riots-2024-08-13/?
I’ve been on there a few times, and the content quality is enough to make you want to throw up….but at the very least, it’s working for that kind of content, and for the people who want it.
I don’t have a direct answer here..but I think it’s something to do with the over-emphasis on technicals.
NVK (npub1az9…m8y8) mentioned increasing the emphasis on design the other day. I agree this is a move in the right direction. We’re taking a very design-focused approach with Satlantis (npub15xd…t3l3) (we’ll have ALOT more to show in the next 6wks).
That being said, it’s not enough.
IMO, Nostr is technically mature enough for us to go out there and talk about it to more people, and build a narrative BEYOND the 500 of us that are talking to each other on here.
People like PABLOF7z (npub1l2v…ajft) or Gigi (npub1der…xzpc) can correct me if I am wrong here. Maybe there’s alot more to do technically.
But if I am right, I’d like to see more initiatives that are marketing oriented being supported by HRF (npub17xv…c9as) and OpenSats (npub10pe…n34f) and other coalitions. Maybe we even need a council of Nostr businesses, who together pool some funds to help drive some marketing initiatives?
Whatever the case, we need to expand upon the Nostr narrative, make it more compelling and speak to more people about it.
At the very least, we have to conquer then Bitcoiners. If we can’t get the segment who are into freedom money onto the freedom of speech network, we’re DOA. That’s a first step.
I know Tanja (npub1hz5…tysa) is working on a very cool initiative in relation to this. The Nostr Booth is IMO a great way to make Nostr more “real” for bitcoiners by having a physical presence at all the conferences.
I know utxo the webmaster 🧑💻 (npub1utx…50e8) + fiatjaf (npub180c…h6w6) are doing some Podcast outreach. That’s super important too. mcshane (npub16vr…p2va) and crew are putting on Nostriga. Amazing. miljan (npub16c0…6nvr) / primal (npub12vk…pugg) are doing great things with paulinthejungle (npub1spd…q6j7), etc on the content side. I’ve got some things up my sleeve personally which I will begin to do once Satlantis (npub15xd…t3l3) is in a position to represent a NEW kind of Nostr-product..
But we need MOAR..
And…we also need to find another angle that is NOT about censorship resistance. That’s clearly not working against X.
I don’t know the EXACT narrative or spin, but it has to be more “running towards” than “running from”.
More white pill, less black pill.
Anyway.
I will probably turn this into an article. I’ve been thinking more and more about “writing in public” as we build Satlantis, and sharing more about how we’re thinking about growing a “network product” on top of a “network protocol”.
If you think this was valuable, please repoast so more people can see and get involved in the discussion.