Being on track with the evolution of social networks and developer ecosystems is an absolute must-have for Visible Magic. It's like witnessing history in the making, especially when you're smack in the middle of a revolution that's quietly reshaping how we think about connectivity, data, and privacy. Our recent conversation with Boris Mann is a reminder of why this stuff matters.

Boris, living in Canada, is a stalwart in the realm of open technologies and decentralized systems. His thoughts on the trajectory of social networks, the criticality of APIs, and the implications of proprietary platforms closing doors on innovation were nothing short of enlightening. It harks back to the days when Flickr introduced us to social sharing and APIs, a time when the web felt like a frontier of endless possibilities. Yet, as platforms grew, so did their walled gardens, leaving developers and users alike yearning for the freedoms once taken for granted.

Boris touched on the pain points felt by many in the tech community, especially around platforms like Twitter, which once served as a beacon for open developer engagement, only to gradually close off access. It's a sentiment I share deeply. The shift towards more closed ecosystems has not only stifled innovation but also left a void for those of us who want openness and connectivity.

For developers and tech enthusiasts, the conversation with Boris was a clarion call to support and invest in technologies that prioritize user agency and developer freedom. The rise of decentralized networks and protocols presents an opportunity to redefine our digital interactions on terms that are equitable, sustainable, and rooted in community.

As we look ahead, the challenge remains to build and support systems that embody the principles of openness and collaboration that once defined the early web. It's a mission that Boris Mann, myself, and countless others in the tech community are deeply committed to. The path forward may be fraught with challenges, but the potential to reclaim the internet as a space for genuine connection and innovation is a cause worth fighting for.

Fission project

But it's not all doom and gloom. Boris's involvement in projects like Fission, aimed at decentralizing the web, offers a glimmer of hope. His insights into the potential of federated systems and open protocols to rebalance the scales of power in the digital realm are both invigorating and necessary. As someone who's navigated the highs and lows of the tech world, from the explosive growth of early social platforms to the constriction of developer freedoms, Boris's perspective is a reminder of the importance of keeping the internet open and accessible. The Fission project looks really interesting, but we will cover that in the next episode

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