#Fediverse, while we shaped a great place to be, we are sitting ducks for disruption by corporates where Metaverses are now the talk of the day.

We need broad vision to move forward, to ensure our relevance into the future, to inspire and become more united in our quest.

We do a lot of talking and we could do with more walking. Coordinated action.

I might be dreamy or crazy, but am afraid we squander the huge potential we have.

Let's build worlds, my fellow fedizens.

https://fediverse.town/t/sci-fi-labs-federated-worldbuilding/275

@humanetech The metaverse is a bad idea invented by companies desperate for a next big thing to sell to investors.

https://www.pcgamer.com/the-metaverse-is-bullshit/

There can be reasons to have an immersive 3d environment but it's unlikely to become the dominant means for computer interaction.

If you're interested there's a project inspired by second life that allows different hosters to interact http://opensimulator.org/wiki/Main_Page

@alienghic @humanetech

It may be a bad idea but that won't stop it's owners pushing it in an aggressive way.

@zleap @alienghic

I want to highlight that the described idea on the forum has nothing to do with metaverses and 3d worlds. It's just that with the metaverse now an accepted concept in the corporate world and governments thinking about regulating and dictating interoperability, that the fediverse will gain more attention from corporates. And we don't have a compelling story and vision for our own future yet. Fedi doesn't stand on its own feet fully. Our strength is simultaneously our weakness.

@humanetech @zleap

Ah. that is a more interesting question.

There's a big problem where companies use laws to achieve vendor lock in.

As an example California has higher gas prices partially because California refiners are highly regulated in ways that make it hard for anyone else to enter the market.

@alienghic @zleap

Yes, indeed. Here I think there's an under-appreciated strength of fedi, and a weakness in corporate social media. Each corporate platform has to defend their turf like a castle. They must be a full-service provider and lock people in.

On fedi OTOH we collaborate. Everything that happens here strengthens overall experience. It is not fedi apps that compete with social media platforms. It is the fedi itself in its entirety that competes. We create full-fedi network effects.

@humanetech @alienghic @zleap So what exactly does that competition look like? Advertising? Discounts? Lawsuits?

@gert @alienghic @zleap

"Compete", as in being a viable alternative that appeals to people in general and to an extent that they are more likely to consider a switch.

Here each federated app can try to do it alone, or the fedi in its entirety becomes just a 'very attractive place to be'.

The latter is the way to go, imho, and should be in our vision as it plays to the strength of interoperable open standards-based software development.

@humanetech @alienghic @zleap I think it is very difficult indeed to undo the state of lock in that all corporate volunteers find themselves in. Don't get me wrong, I feel sorry for those people and their numbers are staggering. But to expect that the fediverse serves a purpose against that network effect is futile. I know this is sad, but there is no point in wishful thinking, let's just focus on our own creativity as a more healthy perspective..

@gert @alienghic @zleap

Yes, I am fully with you on that sentiment. The arguments were more in reaction to those always comparing to FB.

I think fedi growing from their own strength and in its own right, independent of any perceived 'competitor' is the only good approach. Wounldn't even want to see the influx of the big masses, as we can't deal with that.

The top post is about an independent vision. The decentralised interop - a technical aspect - opens up unique non-technical opportunities.