What are the cons of decentralization for you as a user? Are there any reasons you would prefer centralized alternative but with something different than current Reddit?
Posted by busymom0@reddit | RedditAlternatives | View on Reddit | 14 comments
I understand this can be an unpopular question. What are the cons of decentralization for you as a user? Are there any reasons you would prefer centralized alternative but with something different than current Reddit?
ProbablyMHA@reddit
Most people looking for an alternative don't have a technical problem with Reddit, but a social/cultural problem. Decentralization sometimes makes that problem worse, sometimes makes it better. You change from trusting people with a lot of money on the line, to trusting people with a chip on their shoulder and nothing on the line. That doesn't necessarily mean that centralized platforms are inherently more trustworthy. Twitter is notorious for insider threats, and Reddit has its fair share of stories of admins acting abusively.
Then there's the issue of centralized platforms enshittifying, but I don't really see a solution for this from decentralized platforms other than "if we run out of money we'll just die lol".
TheRedBee@reddit
I am lazy and greedy. I don't post as much as I browse. I've tried several decentralized alternatives, but I haven't found one that keeps my attention for long enough for me to feel like I've found a community. I just have to put to much effort into it to make it worth it.
SmileyBMM@reddit
Everyone's talking about the cons of centralization and not the cons of decentralization, so I'll share my thoughts. Personally I dislike all the decentralized platforms I've tried because of how hard it is to avoid an echo chamber. Most decentralized platforms tend to blacklist entire instances meaning it's hard to find all content with just one account. There are platforms (not Reddit) that have a much wider amount of perspectives and viewpoints that I enjoy more, and they are all centralized. I think the entire fediverse is a neat idea in theory but so far in practice I am disappointed with how it's been implemented. It also doesn't help that it is incredibly complicated and does not offer meaningful advantages for normal users compared to centralized platforms.
The big problem with centralized platforms isn't the fact they are centralized, but that they are owned by large corporate entities. Small, independent sites are probably the best way going forward, and hopefully the discoverability issue is solved.
busymom0@reddit (OP)
I am actually building something currently which is decentralized in the sense that the syncing of data happens from user to multiple servers instead of server to server which Federated places do (and hence suffer from instances blacklisting other instances). Maybe you can try mine when it's ready?
Emergency_Plankton46@reddit
It normally costs billions of dollars and many years operating at a huge loss to achieve the kind of network effects that the average user expects on a social media platform.
Decentralization is better in almost every way, but without a ton of users, none of those advantages matter (especially on a site like Reddit where most of the value comes from niche communities).
bactram@reddit
Decentralization is important because it means that the system can't be bought. A billionaire can buy a few instances, but the rest can then defederate from those instances and continue on.
UnflinchingSugartits@reddit
Eh. Federation is just a trillion 'corporations' with unhinged ban happy admins then a trillion of their mod minions to follow.
1 bad guy vs having to dodge a gazillion.
virtueavatar@reddit
But there is no dodging the 1 bad guy in that scenario
Delicious_Ease2595@reddit
Slow progress without VC/corporate/government capital.
I still prefer decentralized solution.
FanClubs_org@reddit
My biggest issue with centralization is that it's really hard to build a great user experience when you're trying to build a platform for everyone. Discovery and browsability is often thrown out the window in favor of an algorithm in many cases. If there's no algorithm, then you can find yourself scrolling through a lot of content you don't have interest in.
Building arounds verticals/sectors allows you to create a platform with intent for a specific audience. I'd prefer a great experience for less people over a subpar experience for a larger audience any day.
UnflinchingSugartits@reddit
No privacy.
immersive-matthew@reddit
That is not a decentralization thing, but rather how “some” decentralized services are designed. Take crypto for example, there are coins that have Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) tech. A ZPK is a cryptographic method that allows one party (the prover) to prove to another party (the verifier) that they know a specific piece of information (e.g., a password or a solution) without revealing the information. Same could be done to prove you are a human without revealing who you are for example. We just have to implement and more importantly, adopt the tech.
busymom0@reddit (OP)
Good point. Reminds me of the problem in Fediverse where one's upvotes, bookmarks etc can be accessible for anyone to see.
UnflinchingSugartits@reddit
Yes.
Kinda why i feel there is no point in using some 'anonymous' caughs ... federated forums.
Why post my business when it can be tracked and is public? Not going to use any of the off my chest or ask communities then. Forget that