Topic: Decentralized Web

The No Agenda Social community on the Mastodon platform continues to grow, requiring new members to answer specific show-related questions to join. The platform offers a decentralized alternative to mainstream social media, allowing users to follow hosts and artists without corporate oversight.

The No Agenda Stream reached a near-record number of live listeners, despite a dip in financial donations. The hosts discussed the benefits of No Agenda Social, a decentralized Mastodon-based server, and the interactive "Troll Room" where listeners congregate during live broadcasts.

Academic researchers in the UK are studying "toxicity" on the decentralized web, specifically targeting platforms like Mastodon and Pleroma. Using a dataset that includes posts from No Agenda Social, the researchers developed a model called "ModPair" to help independent server owners automate the moderation of content they deem toxic.

The ProPublica article claims that alternative tech infrastructure does not exist because of the dominance of AWS, Apple, and Google. The hosts refute this by pointing to the "Podcast Index" and other decentralized platforms like Gab and NoAgendaTube, which are building ecosystems independent of Silicon Valley giants.

A discussion on internet literacy emphasizes the importance of understanding the decentralized nature of the web rather than relying on platforms like Facebook or AOL. Recommendations for homeschooling include teaching children how to set up Linux boxes, run web servers, and register domain names. This technical knowledge is viewed as a necessary defense against the walled gardens of modern tech giants.

Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web, has launched "SOLID," an open-source project aimed at decentralizing the web. The system uses "pods" to allow individuals to store and control their own data, such as photos and contacts, rather than relying on centralized servers. While technically ambitious, the project is criticized for its poor marketing and the difficulty of explaining the concept to the general public.

Adam Curry announces the completion of a new open-source social networking tool based on RSS and OPML. He positions this "river" project as a decentralized alternative to centralized platforms like Facebook and Google+, allowing users to maintain control over their data and identity.