There was a recent post of Bitclout concerns.  I  agree with the "general premise" that we need a decentralized social network (where NO ONE can be canceled, period = if you don't like "them", "certain posts"  or "the subject", etc., don't read it/them, don't follow them, etc.)  However,  I do differ with a couple points from the post.  When I read the text "selfish profiteering", it strikes me to be a tad bit offensive. Profit is by its definition "somewhat" selfish = its "profiterring", which is what profit is! That is Profit's purpose. I struggle with critics of profit or capitalism. I'm in the camp of folks that believe that socialists are trying to destroy capitalism. Rules and laws should be passed to prevent "unconstrained capitalism" which I equate to monopolism.  There should be no monoply of social networks.  For example, everyone's "social graph" should be "theirs" - they should own it and be able to "take it" to any social network they prefer. If they want "off" of twitter or facebook (for example) they should be able to still message and post back and forth - but that type of "telephone like social network exchange" doesn't exist yet (in the maturation of this type of communication).  We can currently take our phone numbers with us (phone number portability), but as of yet, we can NOT take our social graphs with us.  The second nottion that strikes me sideways is the description of Bitclout as ponzi or ponzi-like. I understand the concern. In Bitclout's defense - I view it's main "idea/concept" more as "branding", facilitating the creation of "brands" and "brand awareness" than ponzi-ish. If you establish a following because of your ideas, views, body-of-work and/or concepts - then "you establish a following". With ponzi - you are always "in line" behind another group member, and the originators are always benefiting by "requiring" the fees/funds of new participants to go to those members at the head of the line (of it's followers). And afterall, any Bitclout user can establish their own ideas, views, body-of-work and/or concepts which might then generate an "independent" fan base or set of followers. Ponzi schemes often/mostly "have no or little product/service" that is being traded/purchased. I prefer to think of Bitclout as being creative with the "long tail" and network effects of the internet. As usual, time will tell and Bitclout's success or failure will be a function of it's value to the network, it's users.

I do think the notion of "Clout" has a certain "Ring" to it (Amazon - see what I did there)!  For someone to compete agains the giants (Twitter, YouTube, Google, Facebook, etc.) - it needs to be a good "service" and it needs to be recongnizable, "Clout" has that potential.

Cheers

CTN

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