#BlueSky isn't decentralised or federated.

Bryan Ruby 🌤️

@JustinH @jwildeboer @jautero Bluesky too has put a lot of thought toward moderation. Both Mastodon and Bluesky are similar in that they’re light on algorithms and when in use are voluntary. Threads on the other hand despite connecting to the #fediverse is a bigger “cesspool” in your feed magnet due to relying on Meta algorithms. I plan to drop my Threads account once they have enough ActivityPub features to allow me to fully engage desired accounts via Mastodon.

⁂ Justin (StayGrounded.online)

@bryanruby @jwildeboer @jautero How does moderation on BlueSky work?

I agree Threads shouldn't even be in the discussion but for the same reasons BlueSky shouldn't.

Bryan Ruby 🌤️

@JustinH @jwildeboer @jautero

Bluesky has basic tools moderation tools you would expect (block, mute, warn, etc) you would come to expect. But they also have a labeling system (both official and allows for third-party) that allows users to report on users/posts. For instance I can use a third-party labeler to block Broncos fans (for real). All of this is voluntary for the user to use or not use. Basic image below. An example of “advanced” is Bluesky’s own:
https://bsky.app/profile/moderation.bsky.app

Bryan Ruby 🌤️

@JustinH @jwildeboer @jautero

Additional information can be found at Bluesky. The second link is a recent Verge article that talks about the “extras” you can do within Bluesky.

Community Guidelines - Bluesky

Bluesky (bsky.social)

Here’s some cool stuff you can do with Bluesky

Bluesky offers a lot of unique features like algorithmic feeds and custom moderation that can make for a rich, in-control experience for users.

The Verge (www.theverge.com)

Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:

@bryanruby It's not a very transparent system, though, IMHO. Users in Germany get a "required" second labeler, that doesn't tell you what it is doing (I can make an educated guess, though, as I know German laws on illegal content like Holocaust denial, Nazi symbols etc.) @JustinH @jautero

Bryan Ruby 🌤️

@jwildeboer @JustinH @jautero Looks like the “German version” is doing nothing at the moment. It would have labels on that page if it did something. As far as I can tell..not an expert.

Bryan Ruby 🌤️

@jwildeboer @JustinH @jautero Jan, I suspect that’s a placeholder for complying with German law in case something isn’t covered under global moderation tools.

Network Enforcement Act - Wikipedia

(en.wikipedia.org)

Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:

@bryanruby I am sure it is. And the fact that it is added to my profile just shows again that there is quite some centralisation in Bluesky. Which was the original starting point of this thread. Note: I am not saying that's a bad thing. That is a decision I leave to every single individual. @JustinH @jautero

Bryan Ruby 🌤️

@jwildeboer @JustinH @jautero Yes, it’s interesting to see Bluesky take a hybrid approach over centralization-decentralization. They have the potential of utilizing the best of both systems as well as the worst of both systems. At this time, Bluesky’s future is highly dependent on who or what group is in control of the wheel.

Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:

@bryanruby The main difference between the Fediverse and Bluesky to me is that in the fediverse such decisions are decentralised while Bluesky is a centralised entity that can make far-reaching decisions without any "vote" by its users. In the Fediverse users can "vote" with their presence. If an instance (admin) decides to do something deemed wrong by its users, they can migrate away to other instances. A crude form of democracy that actually is worth exploring more, IMHO @JustinH @jautero

⁂ Justin (StayGrounded.online)

@jwildeboer @bryanruby @jautero Eh, if every individual has to do the work of moderating every single little thing that comes their way it becomes exhausting really fast.

Putting the onus on the people being harassed to stop the harassment is a surefire way to discourage those people from participating (which knowing Dorsey & co I suspect might be part of the point!).

Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:

@JustinH I am not saying that.The context of the "decision I leave to every single individual" in the previous post is if they think centralisation is a good or bad thing. WRT moderation in general: In the Fediverse, instance admins typically do the bulk of blocking unwanted accounts or instances. The reporting mechanism is is very relevant to that. @bryanruby @jautero

Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:

@bryanruby Right now, in Mastodon-Land, you can migrate your account but not your content (at lest not that easily). But with #Solidpod work is being done to decouple your content from the instance, something I find extremely interesting for the near future and progress of the Fediverse. https://activitypods.org @JustinH @jautero

⁂ Justin (StayGrounded.online)

@jwildeboer @bryanruby @jautero Right exactly, but I've seen no evidence that BlueSky is actually taking on (or is capable of taking on) any of the burden of moderating. Threads is good example of a quadrillion dollar company that *still* can't moderate as effectively as fediverse volunteers.

Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:

@JustinH I'd totally agree to the notion of "the costs of good centralised moderation grows exponentially with the number of users, thus making it ultimately too expensive to scale, leading to bad moderation on these platforms" @bryanruby @jautero

Paul McO'Smith III

@bryanruby @JustinH @jwildeboer @jautero the only people we hate more than the judean people's front is...

why is decentralisation and federation a Good Thing? what happens when my server goes down... for good?

this place is complex. servers? what the hell are they? why do i need to choose one? which one should i choose? is this a safe one to choose? what are they doing? recording? selling?

bluesky *is* twitter. the good old days. when it was safe, moderated, ad free.

nobody ever makes the case for federation. it is always why a non federated model is wrong. the post below... who the hell cares? that's such a technical complaint. that's supposed to make me think "ooh... mastodon" as a non techie?

what, in terms of simply being able to interact with people, is the actual advantage of mastodon? i am a techie in my day job. on social media i simply want to post stuff, read stuff, and interact with stuff.

federation? what is that and why do i care? make the case for decentralisation.

Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:

@pavsmith As I said in my thread "for the general audience that simply is not the decisive factor". So I guess we agree? For me it's not an either/or question. If you prefer to hang out on Bluesky, go for it! I prefer to be here in the Fediverse. Is all. @bryanruby @JustinH @jautero

Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:

Now also part of a blogpost at https://jan.wildeboer.net/2024/11/My-Digital-Life-After-Twitter/

Benjamin Sonntag-King

@jwildeboer Here :
https://alice.bsky.sh/post/3laega7icmi2q
I was pointed to the fact that installing your own gateway AND plc directory mirror is possible.
Who's right then?
(I'd really like to know since some friends are pretending bsky is really fully decentralis-able)

Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:

@benjamin You can mirror the bluesky plc. You cannot run your own that federates with the centralised one. The article you linked to says already in the headline that the bluesky AppView is still a problem. With ActivityPub you install your Mastodon, Misskey instance and you’re done. You don’t need to copy/mirror anything.