wowwoweowza

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.

Dark.

Let’s hope the system holds well enough to oust.

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.

There is NOTHING he can break the we cannot fix! NOTHING!

I know that preserving my health can be seen as complacency.

I faced down federal troops that were sent to our city after George Floyd — and I felt like a patriot for doing it.

When another George Floyd happens, I will hear about it. And I will be there in the fires.

Great reminder. Always tracking state and local.

I just can’t allow myself to fall into paralysis over “who” our country actually is. THIS. This is who our country actually is.

LPT: I’m not opening this shit. I’m holding my family close. I’m gonna work my job. I’m gonna exercise and get sleep. I’m gonna stay healthy. I’m gonna vote in 4 years for a better president.

But I’m not going to turn my guts into knots over shit I cannot change. I’m not going to let the noise bury me.

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.