Internet Shifted From 2011 Liberation to 44 Million-User Decentralization Push
Updated
Updated · theunpopulist.net · Jun 25
Internet Shifted From 2011 Liberation to 44 Million-User Decentralization Push
1 articles · Updated · theunpopulist.net · Jun 25
Summary
Fourteen years after Facebook helped power Egypt’s 2011 uprising, the report argues the internet’s liberating promise has hardened into centralized control points exploited by companies and governments.
Ad-driven platforms built around data collection and algorithmic curation solved information overload, but that architecture created chokepoints that lock in users and concentrate power over what people see, say and hear.
The piece labels the commercial pattern “enshittification” and its political counterpart “despotification,” arguing the same centralized leverage lets platforms extract value while states pressure them for compliance, censorship or influence.
Decentralized protocols including ActivityPub, Nostr, Farcaster and ATprotocol are presented as an alternative; Bluesky, built on ATprotocol, has signed up more than 44 million users.
The broader warning is that AI could repeat the same centralization cycle unless users control their data and can switch providers easily, making decentralization a democratic safeguard rather than a technical preference.
As AI agents gain autonomy, will a decentralized internet be the only way to prevent their control by corporations?
Can decentralized networks offer both user freedom and the seamless convenience of today's dominant tech platforms?
If decentralized platforms offer total freedom, how can they prevent becoming lawless digital wastelands filled with harmful content?
Bluesky in 2026: 44 Million Users, Decentralized Growth, and the Future of Social Media
Overview
Bluesky has rapidly grown beyond its experimental phase, reaching 44 million users by May 2026 and achieving nearly 60% growth in 2025. This surge highlights its rising importance in the social media world. Led by Jay Graber, with support from new leadership like Toni Schneider, Bluesky stands out for its focus on decentralized networking and user control. The platform attracts a young, mostly male, U.S.-based audience and offers features like no ads and custom feeds. Its strong momentum and evolving leadership signal Bluesky’s increasing relevance and potential for shaping the future of social media.