You may have heard in the lates news that Elon Musk is planning to rebrand Twitter to X and replace the blue bird logo. Many have been speculating that this is a first step towards Musk's vision of turning Twitter/X into an Everything App. Musk have previously expressed this idea of building something like WeChat on top of Twitter. WeChat is probably the only platform that comes close to the idea of Everything App. The story of WeChat and its owner company Tencent is a fascinating one. The app and the company was in the right place at the right time, still are. Replicating the similar success may require something more than money, resources, vision, and knowledge. Even if all ingredients were available to create something like Everything App, I strongly disagree it would be a good idea.
There are benefits of Everything App. It creates convenience for users having central hub for everything used on daily bases and using same credentials. Otherwise keeping track of all credentials for various platforms is not an easy task. It is also good for companies who can achieve that because they capture all the profits regardless what features or apps within the App users are using. Obviously this leads to monopoly and extreme forms of centralization. Companies, especially big tend, always tend to move towards more and more monopoly and centralization. Perhaps, it is because that's how they see expanding business and creating more revenue streams. But can see this with almost all big tech companies. That does create inconvenience for many, although it keeps competition alive.
First example is iOS vs Android. Both Apple and Google compete with each other in this space. Imagine a world where the operating systems were for mobile devices were similar. This way developers or companies wouldn't have to create two separate apps on two separate platforms to make sure they can catch the full market. It is highly unlikely Android will ever switch to Swift programming language, nor will Apple switch to Java. So, as long as both operating systems exist there will have to be two separate apps that do the same exact thing. Those who are unable to support both platforms will miss out on the rest of customer base. In fact, just having two options is not a good system either. Perhaps in the future we will see a third option like linux and maybe even a decentralized version. Both companies, Google and Apple have monopolistic tendencies and have proven so in the past. Google too wanted to dominate the social and apps space, not only with Android operating system, but also with their ambitions in creating a social media platform, at which they have failed numerous times.
Let's look at Meta. Not too long ago we have known them only as Facebook and their other apps were just acquisitions. With all of their acquisitions, and statements, it is clear Meta wants to capture all aspects of people digital lives. Their goal is to continue to be powerful player in social, photo & video sharing, messaging, virtual reality, gaming, etc. If it was up to them they wouldn't want to share anything with other platforms or companies. This has become even more clear when they launched Threads. All of these companies old or new try to gain as much control as possible, because ultimately this control would translate into profits for their investors. Even the startups that initially start with vision and goals to benefit the people they serve, later in their life they are persuaded to bring more money for investors. Question is can any one of them be successful in doing both, providing honest and genuine services to their customer and making money for the shareholders.
If there were to be an Everything App or platform, I can see benefits of it for streaming services. What Netflix started has been copied by many more, and there are many streaming services now. Everything App of streaming platforms would definitely be convenient. It would eliminate the need for maintaining multiple subscriptions and would allow easy discovery of content. However, if such thing were to happen, this would lead to monopoly as well and would affect the quality of content and service. There are already mergers and acquisitions happening or being discussed so consolidate the space. At least the competition continues to improve both content and services. This also allows users to subscribe and unsubscribe as they wish. It is still better than dealing with something like Comcast. I am not sure what would be better for the future of streaming services. I can only suggest one, that I would suggest for rest of the digital space. Instead of Everything App, the goal should be for Everything Network. Let the apps and platforms compete within one network. A network where none of the platforms have control over. A decentralized network.
Jack Dorsey had a good idea when he was the CEO of Twitter. Jack did speak about decentralized solutions for social media platforms. He even funded the Bluesky project. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out to be what we hoped it would. I don't know a lot about Bluesky, but what I know so far doesn't suggest anything decentralized. Moreover, I was disappointed with the research that was done on decentralized system. They completely missed it. At least the idea was the good one. All apps and platforms using one decentralized system. So that no company has control over the network, but are participants of the networks, and compete with each other for users within the network.
In fact, this is what Hive does. There is no network, blockchain or otherwise that can provide such system at this time. At least not yet. What Hive does can easily be copied. I am still surprised has attempted to so far. Maybe it is not that easy. But the point is, there is a need for decentralized network that can power many apps and platforms. Hive has proven this. One decentralized network with many apps and games powered. But it not a big network yet. It very small compared to centralized platforms. Regardless, it remains to be the best decentralized solution that works today.
Any decentralized solution would have to have these core features:
- Decentralized: Can't be controlled or taken over by one entity or a group.
- Ownership: People own their accounts. No individual app or platform has power to delete an account. They can blacklist from their app or platform but can't delete it.
- Wallet: Digital life involved using money as well. Decentralized wallets and money is a must for current and future of the internet. People shouldn't have to ask permission from banks to participate in digital economies.
- Free or affordable: Using decentralized network shouldn't be difficult to join. Anybody should be able to join or leave as they please without any monetary obstacles.
- Fast and free/affordable transactions: All actions in the networks should be as fast as in traditional platforms. Otherwise we are going backwards. Simple things like sharing blog posts, photos, videos, documents shouldn't cost crazy fees. Unless it is some unique service.
I am sure there are other features that could make decentralized solutions better that I am forgetting. Feel free to share in comments if you think of any. Hive does all of the above better than any solutions available today. Maybe Koinos could be a competition. But they don't have Hive's proven record yet. Centralized networks obviously don't qualify and they fail at the first three.
While Hive might be the best solution, copying Hive by forking is not that difficult. Hive is open source and anybody can fork and create a competing network. It is unlikely centralized platforms would take such path. As they are too arrogant to fork any existing decentralized solutions. They would rather create everything themselves, or at least try. But more importantly, decentralized solutions could significantly lower their profits and decrease their power. As long as there are millions and billions volunteering to use their services, they won't make any moves towards decentralization. This gives us, advocates of decentralization, to build and attract more people to embrace solutions that may benefit them compared to centralized solutions. Ultimately it will be upto people to decide. Developments, efforts, and money will flow where demand is. Hopefully demand for decentralized will continue to grow.
Everything decentralized network is the way, not everything app! Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
I hope decentralization wins in the end but Musk doesn't want that. I have a feeling he wants to make a replica of WeChat and that would be centralized. I honestly think Elon's rebranding of Twitter is a bad idea. Twitter already has a brand that a lot of people know and changing it to X will not really benefit him. It would be better to just say that Twitter is a part of the X network instead.
I agree. I think Musk is a really really bad dude posing as the good guy for now to lure people into his digital gulag.
Musk just wants control and I think he is just jealous of China and their control
~ #DonaldMarshall (Aug 29, 2020)
I believe Elon should just focus in his cars and other investment rather than trying to engage or influence social media. Social media is not his thing.
I love wechat I have always been a regular user
Great post @geekgirl. I really enjoyed the content and i will try to summaries my comment.
From this highlighted context above, it is easier to picture the factor behind it.
This companies that still finds or channel more of their strength towards centralization are watching closely at the interest of their customers or users. Their customers which are the majority users of internet are still very interested in web2 platforms and are yet to consider a decentralized system. So this companies still sees opportunity to generate income from what most of their customers value.
I don't see this different companies overtaking the other for the now but maybe it might happen in the future. Just like you stated "So, as long as both operating systems exist there will have to be two separate apps that do the same exact thing".
I would love to call hive a genuine social that was built base on the interest of its users. The idea of copying hive can't be exact because most companies still sees that very big opportunity of making money from centralization. If copying hive was that easy, then steem service would have be better and very competitive.
I see decentralization as something that maintains an order even without the aid of a middleman, which steem lacks.
In your list missing is a key management system like we fortunately have with Keychain! Or the key system is that easy that you don´t need Keychain, but e.g. a simple pw with 2FA on top of it. Not sure, if that would be safe enough, though.
the idea of an "Everything Network" has the potential to revolutionize how we interact with digital services and could be a better alternative to the fragmented experience offered by separate apps. Nonetheless, it would require careful execution and widespread adoption to become a viable and successful solution.
While centralized platforms may be reluctant to adopt decentralized solutions due to potential profit and power reductions, it is up to us as advocates of decentralization to spread awareness and encourage people to embrace these alternatives.
As demand for decentralized networks grows, more resources, developments, and efforts will flow into this space, paving the way for a more inclusive and democratic digital future.
Strongly agree. :) Jump from one app to the other and enjoy the same experience. If one is taken down, no biggie.
That's what I'm talking about! Robustness. Anti-fragility. Putting everything into one thing (whatever it is) is risky.
I wonder whether the blue bird logo will be replaced with a dog :)
I guess Mark been on Elon neck is pushing the Twitter to come up with some stuff
That's their business though, me am team hive all the way ,he should help us destroy the app completely so we can have more users here on hive
The first time I heard that Elon wanted to buy Twitter, I was shocked because I knew he does not really have the knowledge to run it and he proved me right
It would have beenetter if he is only investing in social media than being the rightful owner
Good write up geekgirl !
Profit seekers will never appreciate decentralised network. Who can bridle the conventional centralised system are only common people and good thing is they are gradually awakening up from their slumber. Scenario gonna change sooner of later!
Twitter logo is the original. Changing it is quite refreshing, but also the name too !
KaBOOM #7
Read how this all have started with Toruk
Decentralization is the solution to every problem these applications are facing today. I don't think so rebranding twitter will benefit twitter, in my point of view, it will lose million of users.
The thing we really need is like, 5 to 10 more messaging apps. We don't have enough messaging apps. WhatsApp, Signal, Keybase, Telegram, etc. We need more. Lots more.
PS - I am NOT a crackpot.
Web2 cartels don't want equity. Why would they change the rules when they are winning. Anyway, I agree with you that decentralization is the answer. people are migrating to web3 and as they say, Noone can stop progress. Onwards! !PGM
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Amazing post!
True Web3 is the way to go. Platforms like Hive give use a true power, it’s a different experience.
Love it here!
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Hola cómo estás? Todo Cambio positivo es bien recibido, y tratándose de Twitter mucho mejor, ya que es un poco inclinada a las antiguas redes sociales y ya requiere cambio.
The way we all know that Twitter is loved and used by all people in the whole world and the way we have seen that there is a new thing on it but no one knows yet how the owner of it is using it in the future and yet the money that is being earned from it is not being given to its users and if there is something like that it will be good. And we all know that if something new is brought after replacing it, it will not be very famous.
Great article you wrote. I actually see decentralization winning in the long run. I’ve noticed each time a company like Reddit, X, Meta mess up people move to fediverse. Mastodon and layer of apps that all connect. Also notice people will make alternatives. It seems that people lost faith in big tech to run there digital lives.
These giants are scratching some features of Hive, but they all want to implement what Hive has.
$WINE
Rebranding of Twitter, I honestly would kick against that idea. Twitter has been known and then the logo is actually great. Rebranding it to X might be bad business for him though.
Just my 1 cent.
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