Bluesky, decentralisation, and the distribution of power
Bluesky has seen a large inflow of new users following the results of the US election, and a significant amount of media attention as well. All that attention to Bluesky has also led to a renewed conversation around the question of whether Bluesky is decentralised or not.
The terms decentralisation and federation are used in multiple ways: to describe the technological architecture details of an internet protocol, but just as often as a shorthand to describe whether or not a (digital) network is open and not under the control of a central authority. The second definition is the one I care about: I write about decentralised social networks because I care about an internet that is open, accessible, and not under the control of a few tech oligarchs. My interest in federation and decentralisation is pragmatic; I view it simply as the most likely option of getting there.
Once you view decentralisation and federation as tools to achieve a more equal power structure of the social web, conversations about Bluesky and decentralisation can become clearer, as there are multiple dimensions at play.
