Tag: netiquette

The need for #netiquette to mediate hostility on the #openweb

The blame, attack, and ban culture we’re seeing is not native to the #openweb. The principles that uphold the open web are built on the #4opens: open data, open source, open standards, and open process. These values encourage linking, transparency, and trust, qualities that are essential for constructive dialogue and a positive community atmosphere. Blocking is a last resort, not a first step.

An example of why this matters: In recent months, reports have surfaced that developers associated with #bluesky, including those contributing to projects like #bridgy, have faced harassment. This behaviour runs contrary to the core path we need to take, #FOSS developers are humans too, with lives and responsibilities beyond their code, with #FOSS they provide their time to building #4opens free and open-source projects that benefit everyone. This kind of personal infighting can be not only unproductive but harmful. Yes, talk, argue about ideas and categories, but the focusing on individuals is often adding more mess to be composted.

A way out of this kinda mess is #netiquette, diversity, we need to foster spaces where diversity of thought and technology can coexist without wholesale blocking each other. A way to do this is for us to have conversations within our communities about netiquette and the standards we want to uphold. Yes, this is a challenging discussion, and it won’t be easy to reach a consensus. But even if the outcome is embracing our differences, that’s not a bad thing.

For more on my thinking on one of the strong roots of this mess subject

Version 1.0.0

A part of this might be that it’s interesting to see that the right-wing are picking up the real problems and mess on the left and then using it to forward their own ideological agenda.

NOTE the things they are critical of are often real issues with the left, so we too likely need to address these ourselves, but to do this we should ignore the right agenda that comes with these right criticisms as this will be built of the normal right-wing lies and misinforming that their ideology paths are full of.

Can we do this #KISS

#mainstreaming counter-cultures

Why does this matter? The #mainstreaming of counter-cultures, like the #openweb, #Fediverse, and #Mastodon, touch on web culture (#Netiquette) and needed community sustainability. It should come as no surprise that we need both action and community to hold together the culture, values and integrity of these deaminising digital spaces.

Normalization and Dilution of Values: As counter-cultures like the openweb and Fediverse gain #mainstreaming acceptance, the values and ethos that created these spaces and technology they are based on get diluted, this is the normal. The needed/sustaining, community-driven, decentralized, and open-source principles are pushed over by commercial interests and current mainstream norms.

Sustaining Cultural Integrity: The challenge lies in maintaining the native culture of these spaces while expanding their reach. The inclusion of diverse voices and broader participation is essential for growth, but it needs to be balanced with the preservation of #4opens foundational path for the value to have the maximum impact that we need.

Different Perspectives: The interpretation of #mainstreaming as good, bad, or indifferent varies depending on political and ideological perspectives. For some, mainstream acceptance represents success and broader impact. For others, it signals a loss of autonomy and a clear steeping away from the original needed path.

Critical Stance: it should be obvious that #mainstreaming without holding the original #4opens and #DIY ethos in place is a bad path to push. There is growing need for vigilance and action to safeguard these spaces from being co-opted and over “common sense” commercialized.

Participation: Engaging “natively” in discussions on platforms like SocialHub used to be a path. This participation helped in shaping the future of these open’ish spaces and ensuring they remained relevant and on mission.

DIY : The #DIY (Do It Yourself) is fundamental to the #openweb and #Fediverse. Emphasizing community control, self-reliance, and collaborative development. Promoting and practising this ethos to resist “common sense” #mainstreaming pressures is important and needed.

Mobilization: Encouraging wide community involvement is essential. Whether it’s through developing new features, creating content, or moderating discussions, contributions sustain the “native” ecosystem, it is its best a “gift economy” path.

We should not shy away from the #mainstreaming of counter-cultures of the #openweb, #Fediverse, and #Mastodon as it is filled with challenges as well as opportunities. With native participation, a strong commitment to #DIY principles, and a collective effort to preserve this native culture, it is as to possible to sustain and grow these spaces without losing their original path of cultural integrity.

You can find out much more thinking on this http://hamishcampbell.com, and please try “not to be a prat” thanks.