The ETHCC Web3 Social Day recently hosted a panel featuring prominent figures in the decentralized social network space. The discussion, moderated by Suji Yan of Mask Network, delved into the contrasting approaches and future prospects of decentralized social networks versus Web3 social platforms.

Panel Highlights

The panel featured a diverse group of experts, including Fiatjaf, the protocol author of Nostr, Wouter Constant, a Nostr researcher, Limone.eth, the founder of ETHRome, Eric from Codex, and Shane Gaffney, the community lead at sending.me.

The conversation began with Suji Yan highlighting the different philosophies of the panelists. While some favor complete decentralization, others, like Sending.me, have raised significant venture capital to support their projects. Suji noted that Bitcoin, now 16 years old, continues to influence new platforms like Nostr, reminding the community of the ongoing need for innovation and discussion.

Understanding Nostr

Wouter Constant provided an overview of Nostr, explaining its reliance on asymmetric cryptography, standardized data formats, and a simple communication protocol. According to Constant, these elements form the foundation for a new, decentralized web. Nostr started as a microblogging platform akin to Twitter but has since evolved into a more comprehensive system capable of transmitting various types of data.

Decentralization vs. Web3

Suji Yan posed a question about the differences between the various projects represented on the panel. Eric from Codex emphasized the importance of censorship-resistant data storage, a critical aspect of true decentralization. Limone.eth, who works with Farcaster, discussed the different approaches within the Web3 social media space, noting that these protocols aim to address the shortcomings of centralized social networks.

Shane Gaffney from sending.me shared insights into the motivations behind the platform, which integrates socializing, private messaging, trading, and token-gated communities. Gaffney explained that the founder’s experience with the centralized Dolphin Browser fueled a desire to create a platform free from centralized control.

Profit vs. Purpose

The panel also touched on the topic of funding and profit. Suji Yan questioned the panelists about the sustainability of their projects without venture capital backing. Wouter Constant highlighted Nostr’s organic growth and support from Jack Dorsey’s OpenSats Foundation, emphasizing the focus on building public infrastructure without the immediate pressure to monetize.

Core Challenges and Solutions

Eric from Codex discussed the ongoing challenges of decentralized, censorship-resistant data storage. He pointed out that while some aspects of the current internet address these issues, true decentralization requires more robust solutions. The conversation also touched on the role of governments and private companies in data censorship, with Gaffney stressing the need for individuals to control their data.

Future Prospects

The panel concluded with a discussion on the current state and future prospects of decentralized social networks. While the consensus was that the industry is still in its infancy, the panelists expressed optimism about the potential for growth and innovation in the coming years.

The ETHCC Web3 Social Day panel provided valuable insights into the evolving landscape of decentralized social networks and Web3, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

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