Transforming Twitter into an ‘everything’ app is a terrible idea. Why?
Take WeChat, for example. Initially a messaging app, it now incorporates a multitude of services including short video clips similar to YouTube, Twitter-like posts (for friends only), a wallet linked to a bank card, and more. One of my Chinese friends said, ‘You won’t find anyone in China who doesn’t use WeChat because it has everything we need!’ It seems that users are quite satisfied with the services WeChat provides.
However, they may be overlooking the drawbacks of such centralized applications:
Privacy issues: Identity verification is required; without it, most features are inaccessible.
Censorship: I suspect that all communications are stored on a central server, with algorithms designed to detect sensitive content or keywords related to politics, NSFW material, etc. Since it’s linked to your identity, you could easily end up on a blacklist.
Account suspension: The developer has the power to suspend accounts at any time due to the centralized nature of the system.
Security risks: If someone gains access to your phone or passcode, they could access your money, your contacts’ information, and your personal details, since it’s an ‘everything’ app.
Manipulation: Show those news that the country or the company want us to, hide those that are not helpful to them.
These issues and risks are inherent in centralized platforms and social media but consolidating them into an ‘everything’ app only amplifies the risks. My friend mentioned that WeChat hasn’t introduced a subscription fee yet, but Twitter and other services have.
I mean, an ‘everything’ app might be feasible in a restricted country like China, in the United States? Hell not!
But, Big Tech and governments have the monopolistic power to make these things happen, so we have to find alternatives. The sooner we migrate, the sooner we can reduce the risks that I mentioned above.
The digital world is incredible, but also dangerous. It’s best that we start protecting our own privacy rights, our right to speak freely, and our right to control our own minds and discern the truth.
Wechat als always had the backing of the central government. They got funding and, probably more important, the government slowed or outright banned other apps. The Verge has a good piece on it.
However, they may be overlooking the drawbacks of such centralized applications
My guy it’s wechat. It’s china. The drawbacks are that they are chinese.
Nobody questions the drawbacks of your entire life being on an app and you being valued on a social score.
I’m only starting to realize now that the Fediverse kinda follows the unix philosophy of purpose-built interconnectable pieces interfacing with each other. It’s much better than the alternative of just slapping everything into one cumbersome pile.
I’m not very well versed in the Fediverse so this may be wrong.
No, you’re right. Theoretically, you could even have a single login for multiple Fediverse sites (Mastodon, Lemmy, PeerTube, etc.).
Technically speaking, I believe you could even comment on this thread via Mastodon if you wanted to since both Lemmy and Mastodon use something called the ActivityPub protocol. But the reverse isn’t true since Lemmy isn’t configured correctly to view Mastodon content.
Wow! That’s kinda insane. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anyone do that. Perhaps it’s just invisible to outsiders, because it’s that seamlessly integrated?
Transforming Twitter into an ‘everything’ app is a terrible idea. Why? Take WeChat, for example. Initially a messaging app, it now incorporates a multitude of services including short video clips similar to YouTube, Twitter-like posts (for friends only), a wallet linked to a bank card, and more. One of my Chinese friends said, ‘You won’t find anyone in China who doesn’t use WeChat because it has everything we need!’ It seems that users are quite satisfied with the services WeChat provides.
However, they may be overlooking the drawbacks of such centralized applications:
These issues and risks are inherent in centralized platforms and social media but consolidating them into an ‘everything’ app only amplifies the risks. My friend mentioned that WeChat hasn’t introduced a subscription fee yet, but Twitter and other services have.
I mean, an ‘everything’ app might be feasible in a restricted country like China, in the United States? Hell not! But, Big Tech and governments have the monopolistic power to make these things happen, so we have to find alternatives. The sooner we migrate, the sooner we can reduce the risks that I mentioned above.
The digital world is incredible, but also dangerous. It’s best that we start protecting our own privacy rights, our right to speak freely, and our right to control our own minds and discern the truth.
Wechat als always had the backing of the central government. They got funding and, probably more important, the government slowed or outright banned other apps. The Verge has a good piece on it.
Why are people writing comments with chatgpt?
Wait, what gives away that this is a ChatGPT comment?
Bullet points and tone of voice
My guy it’s wechat. It’s china. The drawbacks are that they are chinese.
Nobody questions the drawbacks of your entire life being on an app and you being valued on a social score.
I’m only starting to realize now that the Fediverse kinda follows the unix philosophy of purpose-built interconnectable pieces interfacing with each other. It’s much better than the alternative of just slapping everything into one cumbersome pile.
I’m not very well versed in the Fediverse so this may be wrong.
No, you’re right. Theoretically, you could even have a single login for multiple Fediverse sites (Mastodon, Lemmy, PeerTube, etc.).
Technically speaking, I believe you could even comment on this thread via Mastodon if you wanted to since both Lemmy and Mastodon use something called the ActivityPub protocol. But the reverse isn’t true since Lemmy isn’t configured correctly to view Mastodon content.
Wow! That’s kinda insane. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anyone do that. Perhaps it’s just invisible to outsiders, because it’s that seamlessly integrated?
You would still be able to see if someone commented from a Mastodon instance. Their username would say something like @username@mastodon.social.
Those are all pros for Musk, he’s an ego maniac and wants all that power to be able to manipulate and control people.