The so-called 'post-naive' internet era
On a Mozilla blog, three researchers from a Berlin research and strategy studio argue that we’re moving beyond the ‘naive’ internet in its place are a series of ‘miniverses’. They’re essentially arguing that the open web is dead. While I don’t have a problem with specific parts of this post, I don’t agree with the overall argument.
No, the open web is the default and something that makes the other things possible. Yes, we might be getting more sophisticated in our use of networks for various purposes, but the open web remains the connective tissue.
I guess I have issues with the pejorative use of the term ‘naive’ here when what they’re actually pushing back against is the default Big Tech platforms. Like a few things I saw at MozFest this weekend, Mozilla should know better.
We’ve identified four layers on which these miniverses are built differently than in previous eras:
On a structural level, as with Subvert being collectively owned by its members rather than by venture capitalists.
On a value level, such as release platform Metalabel, which is built for creators to collaborate and split earnings, rather than competing against each other.
On a design level, such as newsletter-turned-social-network Perfectly Imperfect, which designs its feed around human-created recommendations rather than algorithm-optimized content.
On a community level, for instance Berlin-based online community and physical hub Trust, which experiments with decentralized governance structures to evolve along its community’s IRL needs.
Source & image: Mozilla NP. blog