David Slifka

Helping to make the fediverse happen. Separately, protecting democracy by building at http://bluem.ventures.

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Public Key

npub1tzvc0qx6lz3gs6v74qs4jgrh664epxqt5xu3qckkyu9m9xukjrjqdg55wl

NIP-05 Address

davidslifka_at_mastodon.social@mostr.pub

Profile Code

nprofile1qqs93xv8srd03g5gdx02sg2eypmad2usnq96rwgsvttzwzajnwtfpeqc8vy0d

Author Public Key

npub1tzvc0qx6lz3gs6v74qs4jgrh664epxqt5xu3qckkyu9m9xukjrjqdg55wl

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Last Notes

2024-02-01 16:59:33

This week I went to a conference on AI in politics hosted by Higher Ground Labs and others.
Similar to AI in the wider world, the applications today are mostly making existing processes better/faster/cheaper, for example: Analyzing voter feedback, Monitoring news and social media, Designing attractive materials.
This alone could have big impacts. Nearly everything in politics is tightly cost-constrained, so moving the cost curve way down could materially shift who can win elections.

2023-12-08 21:05:31

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@npub18r7…xrw4 that’s very funny!

2023-10-11 13:58:32

How to Leave X
Some of the best tips I've seen for transitioning to Mastodon.
Don't delete your X account; instead go Mastodon-first, meaning:
1. Open Mastodon before X
2. Post new content to Mastodon before X
3. Engage replies on Mastodon before X
4. Keep using X but as a lurker; reply less, follow less.
5. Post teasers on X ("My thoughts on ABC are posted on Mastodon. Username in bio.")
6. Occasionally post on X that you're now on Mastodon, otherwise your absence is less noticed.

2023-09-25 15:49:52

What can normies read or listen to in order to understand the topics that political professionals are actually thinking about day-to-day?
Can be articles, podcasts, publications, follows - anything publicly accessible.
This will be the topic of my next substack essay. Thanks!

2023-07-14 19:33:29

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@npub1efv…4jx2 well said. my enthusiasm for threads is 100% based on the hope they follow through with becoming a real instance, including allowing freedom of exit.

2023-07-13 21:23:14

This is a high-impact software engineering lead role with a great organization that helps young progressive candidates in the US:
https://jobs.lever.co/RunForSomething/7524b6e7-feff-4b82-9179-00e4993fc313

2023-07-07 12:05:29

Noted VC Fred Wilson is excited about the open social web.
“Threads is about two really important things:
1/ Competition for Twitter. Long overdue and badly needed.
2/ The emergence of a widely supported social media protocol. Which should produce a vibrant and interoperable social media ecosystem.”
Also: “I have not enjoyed using any social media apps built on the ActivityPub protocol, most notably Mastodon…”
#Threads @npub17hu…3hgm
https://avc.com/2023/07/threads/

2023-07-06 09:36:20

I agree with @npub1xzm…eykm: “[Threads] is a clear victory for our cause, hopefully one of many to come.”
IMO: For now, it’s the best hope for the open social web to grow and fix the problems of closed social.
https://blog.joinmastodon.org/2023/07/what-to-know-about-threads/

2023-07-01 18:48:51

Good guess by @npub1skz…zw5p:
“Best guess: Twitter tried to do something stupid with their API, they messed it up in a way that will take days, so Elon is doing this new “you can only read 600 posts a day” thing as a cover, and he’ll say “after hearing your feedback, we’ve reversed the policy” when it’s fixed.”

2023-06-16 17:34:45

From a distance, the Reddit situation seems so unnecessary.
It sounds like Reddit wanted some of the profits earned by third-party apps, to offset their own costs in supporting the apps. That seems fair.
But in pursuing that goal, Reddit communicated so poorly as to enrage a huge chunk of their best users.
Am I missing something?

2023-06-14 20:03:59

Anti-democratic politics is so often linked with corruption. Two recent examples signed into law:
1. Iowa governor takes charge of what documents the state auditor can see
2. Florida forces citizens to buy new cars only through dealers (not direct), ~except for Tesla

2023-05-27 14:30:37

Great point by @npub1nd8…2zkd: The core need being expressed by millions of users isn’t “get me a decentralized protocol that nobody owns where I can have my choice of algorithms and apps”. It’s “get me a platform that works consistently, with less abuse”. Sometimes it’s also appended with, “where I can build a following for me / my brand / my employer and measure my progress.”
https://newsletter.werd.io/p/this-moment-isnt-about-decentralization

2023-05-15 17:46:43

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@npub1u27…3qfq @npub17hu…3hgm thanks! Which lessons stood out to you in particular?

2023-05-15 14:21:39

My latest thoughts on the open social web (a term that includes the fediverse but also e.g. BlueSky/AT), and how to maximize its odds of success.
TLDR: Serious marketing, funding for lots of projects, and a full-featured Twitter competitor yesterday!
https://slifka.substack.com/p/growing-the-open-social-web
@npub17hu…3hgm

2023-05-13 15:25:55

#BlueSky rolls out the basics of user-level @npub1fw6…zlg3: mute, block, and filters.
Interesting twist: “You can now create "Mute lists" which are public lists of users that other users can privately subscribe to and automatically mute those users.” - Paul frazee
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/110/362/068/674/898/193/original/715014d13c02f54f.jpeg

2023-05-11 17:11:29

This new moderation game is awesome and a great public education step (hopefully).
Cc @npub1fw6…zlg3 and IFTAS @npub1vl7…7ytq
From: @npub1lsl…9c2x
https://mastodon.social/@mmasnick/110351156238724803

2023-05-11 16:58:58

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@npub15c8…fal0 ooooh I see, cool!
So customers would order directly from the restaurant (maybe via a non-delivery app), and the restaurant would then broadcast the delivery need, and couriers running a FOSS client would see and accept it?

2023-05-11 16:48:28

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@npub15c8…fal0 how would it work - would people set up their own local delivery services that a user could pick from?

2023-05-10 02:45:34

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@npub178r…qekt @npub1uxz…5ma4 totally true of course; but the paper-thin margin leaves a lot that could break the other direction next time, horrifying as that is.

2023-05-09 16:53:18

I'm very concerned about this seven-month graph of Mastodon's MAU, for the sake of both Mastodon and the fediverse.
To be honest, I don't love any of my current ideas for changing this picture.
I'd be grateful for anyone sharing their own ideas that could move the needle on growing the fediverse (i.e. Mastodon and/or other platforms). @npub17hu…3hgm
Data from https://cryptpad.fr/sheet/#/2/sheet/view/8TmIxgfFMBQ9h4maRV79wdiEwlu-37v3gRfTKUFDwEM/
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/110/339/730/166/036/550/original/239b834fb8697194.png

2023-05-03 14:48:23

I weep for the human potential that the debt ceiling forces us to waste.
A totally artificial construct that forces so many capable people to spend so much time doing nothing to advance human flourishing or solve actual problems. Tragedy.

2023-05-01 16:02:13

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@npub1pqk…z65u @npub16nf…nmp8 @npub1gsm…5y8l Without diving into any one particular point, I read this essay not as anti-Mastodon but almost as a pained love letter to it. It read to me as being written by someone who wants Mastodon to succeed and cares enough to critique kindly but directly.

2023-05-01 14:28:49

Easy to miss in Mastodon's latest update, but the most-requested features are indeed coming "soon:"
"...quote posts, improved content and profile search, and groups. We’re also continuously working on improving content and profile discovery, onboarding, and of course our extensive set of moderation tools, as well as removing friction from decentralized features. Keep a lookout for these updates soon."
https://blog.joinmastodon.org/2023/05/a-new-onboarding-experience-on-mastodon/
@npub17hu…3hgm @npub1gsm…5y8l

2023-05-01 03:02:53

It’s too late for me to pull out the top quotes now (and there are several), but this piece by @npub16nf…nmp8 is a great blend of important, direct, and heartfelt. Thank you for it!
https://erinkissane.com/blue-skies-over-mastodon

2023-04-30 19:25:55

Mastodon's official numbers have it growing around 200 accounts per hour, not the ~1300 shown lately by a bot we all enjoy.
So in April Mastodon added 40k MAU and 141k accounts.
Thank you to @npub1ca7…255c for keeping historical data on Mastodon's official statistics, at https://cryptpad.fr/sheet/#/2/sheet/view/8TmIxgfFMBQ9h4maRV79wdiEwlu-37v3gRfTKUFDwEM/
Thanks also to @npub16ac…qwh2 for citing that data, and @npub18a4…zu98 for citing Hilda's recent essay!

2023-04-30 13:14:29

The distinction between a “social network” and “parasocial network” is a great one!
Twitter was successful as both, though emphasis was on parasocial IMO.
From: @npub1hwv…pq62
https://libranet.de/display/0b6b25a8-1864-4e61-acd2-3ef431785154

2023-04-29 19:06:34

@npub1jzg…hc3a Hi! I was excited to give the welcoming committee a basic try, but would love your help promoting and leading it if you want! There's a google doc of resources in the replies that could be fleshed out, but probably most important is welcoming and sharing that we're doing it (like "I welcomed x people today").
https://mastodon.social/@spreadmastodon/110283391523166085

2023-04-27 12:22:23

What an unnecessary loss for the fediverse this seems to be.
The posted twitch stream has interesting points about background - particularly the demands placed on admins.
I hope to write up some thoughts later.
From: #[0]
https://hachyderm.io/@nova/110268918029141405

2023-04-27 00:31:15

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#[0] #[1] #[2] #[3] #[4]
Hi Johannes, thanks! Did you see the essay that I wrote on this topic? What do you think? https://medium.com/@davidslifka_86286/how-to-decentralize-social-media-6ae35a49ac46

2023-04-25 18:03:40

I agree with #[0] that to grow, Mastodon will need financial models and (I’m told by people I trust) a substantial upgrade/rewrite to be more scalable and resource-efficient.
I disagree with him that it’s “doomed” because those can still be created. But he’s not wrong that time is of the essence!
https://mastodon.social/@jgarr/110259908079724613

2023-04-24 18:17:27

Some have asked recently: How do I balance growing the fediverse with keeping it diversified, and why?
TLDR: Central social media behemoths are here today and almost impossible to dislodge. The way to achieve decentralized social is to grow the fediverse, so I believe that should be the primary goal. Keeping the fediverse decentralized is important; if that starts to become an issue, I'll be here to address it at that point. More here; polite thoughts welcome as always.
https://medium.com/@davidslifka_86286/how-to-decentralize-social-media-6ae35a49ac46

2023-04-22 21:08:28

Hi #[0] Hi Congressman, glad you’re here!
Your colleague #[1] verified her Mastodon profile via house.gov. That ensures it’s you and not a good-looking impostor.
If you’re interested, her digital team could probably help, or volunteers at #[2] can as well.
Background info here: http://joinmastodon.org/verification

2023-04-22 17:24:37

Hi Mastodon Spreaders #[0] -
Who would be up to coordinate a volunteer welcoming committee, to search for intro hashtags and welcome people / provide resources?
Let's get this going!

2023-04-21 21:49:03

I don't want to end the week without applauding #[0] for creating clearly the best tool for finding new people to follow across multiple categories at https://fedifriday.fedified.com!

2023-04-21 21:23:17

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#[0] I actually agree with you on all these points!
You're right. SpreadMastodon is a bad fit for (a) people who hate Mastodon, (b) people who want alternatives to FB/YT/IG, and (c) developers.
Instead it targets one segment that I'm familiar with: People & orgs in my orbit who want to replace Twitter. I needed something to market to them better and it didn't exist.
That's definitely not the only market segment! I do think it's the most promising, but I welcome anyone pursuing others.

2023-04-21 02:32:37

In 2004, the web was under threat.
Microsoft’s browser held 95% market share, but failed to protect against viruses and spyware. The internet was becoming more centralized and less safe, stifling innovation.
So a movement began: Spread Firefox. People rallied around open-source software that fixed the problems, building and marketing it together.
Today there is another movement to break from centralized social. But it hasn’t had a name - until now.
#[0] and #[1]
(1/3)

2023-04-19 16:30:40

Hey #[0] experts of Mastodon -
Is there a way that someone in the US can enter their zip code and find relevant weather bots or accounts to follow?
If not, would anyone be up to make this happen (I could help)?
cc #[1] #[2]

2023-04-19 02:32:59

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#[0] for better or worse, the problem doesn’t seem to be one of funding, but of figuring out how the fediverse can offer a better mousetrap for journalists and media orgs, not just another platform to support.

2023-04-19 02:25:34

Critical government communications can’t depend on walled gardens.
National Weather Service needs to join the #[0].
(Edit: Tell them at nws.social.media@noaa.gov. Thanks #[1] for the tip!)
https://mashable.com/article/twitter-exemptions-nws-public-service-safety-weather-accounts

2023-04-17 14:21:31

What I love about the #[0] is that it's an open do-ocracy.
In a do-ocracy, "everyone does jobs that they think need to be done, without everyone's input."
In other words:
1. Lead (build what you see as being most needed),
2. Follow (support builders), or
3. Get out of the way (don't spend the precious moments of your life tearing down builders).
And in all roles: Be open, curious, and compassionate.
Grateful to all the fediverse builders out there in #[1] and everywhere else.

2023-04-16 14:01:32

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#[0] that would be fantastic.
What are the other projects? How can I help?

2023-04-16 01:29:10

There’s a rich vein of humor in #[0]’s template, “Twitter usage is down so much that…”
Any other comedians #[1] want to try?
https://mstdn.jp/@ginnyhogan/110205871308872852

2023-04-15 12:48:28

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#[0] early voices afflicted by based mind virus

2023-04-04 23:49:51

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#[0] #[1] also “integration with mastodon” <> freedom of exit with your social graph.
Without that, any platform is just another Twitter waiting to happen.

2023-03-26 22:36:40

Welcome Twitter to the open source movement! (Gift link)
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/26/technology/twitter-source-code-leak.html?unlocked_article_code=CMMbnxESAAJcLlwSrSiHoOJMJOt2OJTsmvb1yXniSGKJd0-MCQ95tfZg3-7V4kcZLw5XOYPMr0oklPDQ1KbdsJDcHJ5WjNXgsNiuEjbLdYSsVE_hl_ovNGntXt_XZCs5KnaylfReIaA-H6rFufc6cOLL0gK8yzCZxfuTgLjnaA4WE9muShfbNVR2LuuCR2vhOX3E7x69WTnm7-b-6DloOO8-YUeLt10rqxU_9gvtxl_4tCTaek_9iaUryaz3tQhyp3O79oo4Pm8UcwOv3yEd1VN5fmq4Xvz22QaK8fFhaPiOXrc7e_ORudBhxIr8hcq0EFofzdFGrUkNuhRbm1ysP3u7dDCN&smid=url-share