@FediThing @woe2you @fedi @aral @nicolasvivant convinced if the USA sanctioned the UK for example or vice-versa we'd have some serious problems around infrastructure that we no longer can use or own however the social side would be way better. Way less extremism spread and people would rediscover in-person hobbies and community again which we're all sorely lacking.

@FediThing @fedi @aral @nicolasvivant @pluralistic Interesting to think about that actually (telephone network and email etc). I hadn't considered those as examples of decentralised, popular communication methods.

@woe2you @FediThing @fedi @aral @nicolasvivant I agree! I do think centralisation is what helps adoption (just based on the evidence thus far). I am not convinced social media in any form (including this) is healthy for humans. We aren't designed for this level of inputs all the time. Our brains are always scanning for threats and social media is a constant influx of potential threats!

@FediThing @fedi @aral @nicolasvivant @pluralistic if you want adoption unfortunately I think it needs some level of centralisation just based on how humans interact to be honest - if you want full decentralisation then we have it in the fediverse, but we just won't get the adoption. Not sure there's a perfect solution to be honest.

@FediThing @fedi @aral @nicolasvivant Also, no digital experience is going to truly connect people I don't think. It creates a false sense of connection that leaves us feeling ultimately unfulfilled and disconnected from the world. Only real life interaction truly connects people.

@FediThing @fedi @aral @nicolasvivant I don't disagree with that. I just don't see how that means we have to discourage EU VC funded or even bootstrapped startups. I think we can and should encourage both.

@FediThing @fedi @aral @nicolasvivant I hear you, the reason the US is so successful in building that infrastructure that we're all now so hooked on and deeply embedded within though is because of VC startups - I don't think governments and institutions have the risk appetite for stuff like this. Besides, do you think W creators would have instead worked on infrastructure if not for this? I don't think so personally. We can have both!

@FediThing @fedi @aral @nicolasvivant I don't understand - why are we hating a European tech startup here? Have I missed something? Surely we want more EU startups?