Update on the class project. I asked students to report for week 7 about their adventures in the Fediverse.

Out of 23 students, not one genuinely grocks, as it were, the why.

Oh, they can give lip-service to the tropes we’ve been exploring in the SF class— privacy, autonomy, freedom, ethical uses of technology etc but none of them have become inspired, or even curious by these alternative platforms.

I believe it was you who wanted me about this attempt. Perhaps you were right. Not because they’d encounter vile things, which they do but do not blame me for, but because … I have dragged them out of the cave too fast? It’s too jarring for them? Too cumbersome. Requires too much.

The simplest features you and I take for granted in dealing with the mechanics of a Federated platform are simply too challenging and disheartening for these college students.

It’s like the corporations won in a single generation — as they anticipated.

This meme makes me think of a fabulous but unwritten scene from American Gods… like that orgy party in The Boys, but Denny’s.

Had I been truly bold, I would have included in the assignment guidelines that they use the platforms themselves to execute their “creative projects” with the Fediverse — this way you’d be able to see what was done “live.” As it is, I used a digital format for their work they are all familiar with… they’ll be presenting live presentations with google slides…

My guidelines are general enough that the hideous things some folks have run into cannot come back to bite me, but as you predicted, some have run into genuinely nauseating material. I’ve just smiled and said, “I hope you clicked away.”

I believe the best response I’ve received after some adventuring in the Fediverse one student came back hooting about how much she has dreamed of “Internet one point oh.” This is what she calls the Fediverse — and she’s not wrong. Zero corporate Shenanigans.

Best news ever says dude still rocking the X-box 360 and happy about that.

Sorry for the two month delay in reply to your exceptional wisdom. I kept this message “unread” believing that I might own another such thorough reply. Then the term started and it’s all a blur.

I will share that I DID create an assignment on the FEDIVERSE. Very very general with major caveats about their free will and content they will encounter if they are not careful.

Best best response when I dropped the guidelines was a student who clapped her hands in glee and said, “OMG! We can go back to Internet 1.0!” — this is a 19 year old and she was being sincere. I asked her to clarify he thinking for the class and she said, “There was a time before corporations owned the internet when it was just people.” Oh… it was lovely!!

I won’t hear about this experiment for a few more weeks.

But I am hopeful.

I’m not watching

All the above is true. My own few experiences made me more curious, analytical, and open minded. All very good permanent changes.

Loved them. And I loved the whole post apocalyptic fires under huge caldroms feature about them. Best part of my trip to Georgia except for the cocaine.

It’s the same everywhere is MAGAs.

Some folks have asked to see the video. I can’t share because I don’t want to entirely violate the subjects privacy. I’m being nosey and your answer makes sense. My question comes from a good place — I’m sorry to confirm there must be a health situation going on.

Here’s another image from same video.

Space Invaders, Asteroid, Pong, Adventure… these are retro

Is there an article about this defederation with the people who we likely should be engaging in discourse?

Why people gotta hate on a movie three decades old that remains perfect?

Not sure I’m tracking here?

It is the end of everything.

So… wouldn’t I have to have an extra phone or device?

I’m pretty certain that even if I were to delete insta on my phone and reinstall it, there’s going to be traces of my previous use? My identity?

I’m likely not unplugged enough to “grok” this entirely.

But the reminder to completely unplug is valuable. Thank you.

I met a traveller from an antique land,

Who said—“Two vast and trunkless legs of stone

Stand in the desert. . . . Near them, on the sand,

Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown,

And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,

Tell that its sculptor well those passions read

Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,

The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed;

And on the pedestal, these words appear:

My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;

Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!

Nothing beside remains. Round the decay

Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare

The lone and level sands stretch far away.”

Really nice idea… there’s a whole lotta garbage out there for students to wade through.