2023-07-04
The first time I joined the Internet, I used a dial-up modem. That modem connected me to America Online. AOL had news, weather, stock prices, and chat rooms. For me, a precocious kid, the chat rooms were the best part. I didn't talk to a lot of people outside my family. The chat rooms were an opportunity to explore my thoughts and try out the different versions of a potential future "me". Information was the selling point; connection was the drug.
I quickly learned that AOL was a "walled garden." It had a lot going for it, but AOL carefully curated its experience and kept tight control on its users. There was a much wider expanse out there, and it was called the Internet. On the Internet, there were things called "web pages" that had pictures and linked to each other, and anyone could make their own "home page".
You couldn't make a home page on AOL.
So I figured out how to connect to the Internet. Back then, AOL didn't even have a built-in web browser. First, I logged into AOL. Then I Alt-Tabbed to a different program -- WinSock -- and then used yet another program -- FTP, on the command line! -- to download an early version of Netscape Navigator.
I still remember how I felt when I saw Netscape's moving logo for the first time. I felt like I'd gotten away with something.
I'd escaped the walled garden. Now, the Fediverse is facing a question. Will instances allow Meta to federate with them? There are numerous reasons to say "No". I fully support the right of individuals, admins, instances, and entire networks to not federate with Meta.
But I'm not going to block Meta. Because it's a walled garden. And people need to learn that they can escape.