Why?
Well, to leave this post as my goodbye and to finish powering down all of my HP and transfer my Hive to Blurt. After this post I will no longer ever post on Hive unless it comes through the @cast.garden account from one of my podcast episodes. Nor will I promote it as a decentralized, free speech platform. Because it is not one.
You can listen to a somewhat rambling and further explanation of all of this on my latest podcast episode "Why I quit Hive".
Thumbnail from my latest podcast episode.
Let me explain
When I first came to Hive I was searching for a true FreeSpeech platform. I thought I had found it. But a year or so in I realized it's not. It's close but it's still not there. I was one of the ones who tried to instigate some changes to make it more capable to FreeSpeech through the Hive5 initiative a couple of years ago. The problem is that Hive has encoded into the blockchain level a monetary value and allows for 3rd parties to effect the value of two other people.
My biggest beef with Hive
If "User B" likes content that "User A" makes and finds value in it. Then "User B" upvotes his content. But "User C" doesnt like the content or even "User A" himself, can come along and down vote the same content. Nullifying "User B's" value of the content. This is not fair and should not happen. A 3rd part's value or lack of should not ever effect someone else's. This simple little action allows for way too much control and room for abuse and people willingly look over it because they can make a profit or control others with it. Thats just human nature, find a spot in the hierarchy and get comfortable with it. Because true Freedom is too hard to gain and maintain.
Through this action it allows and maintains a select few to always remain at the top of the economic and social hierarchy of the system. Whether they are actively posting or not. They can stay behind the scenes in staunch control and picking and choosing the winners and losers of the Hive ecosystem. Everything from the DHF, HBD & dapps all the way down to the individual users.
The last two years
Over the last two years I've watched Hive's user base dwindle while new signups died off and the DHF be bled dry for useless and frivoulous things. Many people have debated over what was causing it. I've heard everything from "covid was over and people went back to their lives" to "we need to advertise". There was a few other really good suggestions but those in control thought it was best to throw more money at it and court other blockchains.
But the one thing they never cared to look at is the fact that it is flawed at the core. In irl a flimsy and flawed foundation will eventually bring down the entire house. The same will happen with technology. But its not the technology's fault in Hive's situation.
What exactly is Web3?
While over the last decade or so Web3 has been steep in pioneers that made huge in roads and scammers who wrecked havoc on the emerging industry. The question still remains "What is Web3"?
Most people assume it's all about the technology. Decentralized this or that. Federation, IPFS, blockchains, digital assets, etc. If you havent figured it out by now I'm about to let you know and it's not any of the above.
It's not 1's and 0's. Its not whose shit coin is better. Sure thats a part of it. But thats not what Web3.
At it's heart Web3 is a philosophy, an online way of life that promotes and protects privacy, anonymity and user security. Somewhere along the line most of the industry, including Hive, lost sight of that. Everybody was all "build, build build" and completely ignoring the basic fundamentals of Web3 and it's purpose. I tend to think that a lot of dollar signs was in way too many eyes to keep the clear vision.
How could Hive be the bastion of Freedom it has proclaimed it's self to be over the years when it allows for 3rd party control of other peoples value?
How could Hive continue it's claim of promoting anonymity when the same 3rd party control on steroids is wielded by Hivewatchers to demand proof of identity from users? Whether a user has one account or hundreds, there is no way for HW to verify without a doubt that a user is who they claim to be. It requires some form of KYC or even ip tracking.
None of which is privacy, anonymity or security.
Hive is essentially Web2 wrapped up in newer technology in a pretty package to make it look different. But in practice it is exactly the same thing. Just different rulers.
Enough said
I honestly dont want to see Hive die. I would love to see it be a great success. But at what point will those that are in control will stop trowing money and effort away and look at themselves for the solution? I dont think they ever will. It's been two years since I've pointed this out. Longer for others who are no longer here. As I've already said, the answer is not technology. The answer is in the philosophy.
This meme seems pretty appropriate. But will they understand it? Eh, prolly not.
This is a random meme I downloaded from the internet. So I guess that prolly counts as a stolen image or photography. So what ya gonna do about it?
REWARDS FROM THIS POST ARE DECLINED BECAUSE I'M NOT POSTING IT IN A LAST DITCH EFFORT TO FARM REWARDS FROM THE POOL.
- My Podcast - https://cast.garden/c/tdlp/videos it does not require a Hive account. But you can login with it if you want to.
- Visit my site - https://libertybytes.online/
- Follow me on Blurt - https://beblurt.com/@unklebonehead - which is similar to Hive but there is no down vote where a 3rd party can devalue what you find valuable.
- Follow me on X - https://x.com/unkle_bonehead
- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@unklebonehead
- Rumble - https://rumble.com/c/c-6360101
- Odysee - https://odysee.com/@UnkleBonehead:e