Earlier this year, Noorderlicht, together with Bits of Freedom, DeGoedeZaak, PublicSpaces, and Waag Futurelab, launched the #MakeSocialsSocialAgain campaign. They are calling on cultural and civil society organizations to use alternatives to Big Tech's social media platforms. The urgency is growing: the power of companies like Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is becoming increasingly intertwined with political power. Meta also announced it would discontinue fact-checking, stop intervening in hateful content, and scrap its diversity program. This is putting pressure on the credibility and security of social media. Social media should be digital village squares, but are increasingly dominated by disinformation and hate.
However, there are already alternatives that do prioritize public values: transparency, privacy, sustainability, open source, and democratic governance. Such alternatives are also being developed in Rotterdam. Artist Ron van der Ende founded echobeach.nl: a new platform specifically for artists as an open and honest alternative to Facebook and Instagram. It's already open to visitors. Registration will be available once the kinks have been ironed out. CBK Rotterdam spoke with him about this and shares his call to action for other platforms.
Why do we need to get rid of the Big Tech social media platforms: X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, etc?
The internet has been taken over by corporations bent on profit and power. This brought us Trump, Brexit, QAnon, Trump again, and a wave of right-wing extremism. We, the users, are giving "big tech" and "big social" that power. The crypto-bros are pushing a hard-right agenda, censoring LGBTQIA+ hashtags and anti-antisocial posts, for example, while racist and sexist language is permitted. But there's another way. The free, open internet still exists. It's called the "Fediverse." In that environment, I want to launch a national artist collective. I want to create an alternative to Instagram, specifically for professional artists in the Netherlands: a place where artists are in charge and where we can be found as a group. A start has already been made. Just look at echobeach.nlOnce we've ironed out the last few bugs, we can really get started. First, it has to be easy and reliable to use.
What is the Fediverse and what can you do with it?
Simply put, the Fediverse is made up of thousands of independent computers that together form a network: a federation. Each of these individual computers forms a link in this network—a "server"—and is managed by an individual or group with a specific purpose. That purpose is often idealistic. We're used to a program being owned by a company that owns its own computer network. In the fediverse, however, the programs are separate from the network. Each server can offer the use of such a program as it sees fit. The most popular programs in the Fediverse will look familiar: Pixelfed is like Instagram, Friendica like Facebook, Mastodon like Twitter, and Peertube like YouTube. There are many more. Echobeach.nl works like Instagram, but like an artist collective where we make our own rules.
Why would I want to share a server with other artists?
This is a frequently asked question because people think you're locked together, but that perception is incorrect. By joining forces, you're actually more discoverable. People interested in art can freely browse our server. There's also no central overview of the Fediverse network. Servers map each other based on usage. The network grows along paths that arise naturally, through our own movements, not through treacherous algorithms.. If someone from another server visits ours and follows or shares something, the servers involved will know each other, and everyone on those servers can find each other. This is how we're slowly but surely shaping the Fediverse. Through use, the servers you visit are gradually nurtured.
What are the pros and cons of the Fediverse?
Many programs within the Fediverse are connected to each other. Unlike regular social media programs, users can also see and follow each other from other platforms. Compare it to email. It doesn't matter which mail server you use; you can email/communicate with anyone. However, there is a significant drawback. The Fediverse has only a small number of users, around 15 million. That's much less than, for example, X with 217 million, or Meta with almost 4 billion users. But if we don't take action, we will remain stuck on platforms where we are limited and where we have no say. Let's take action together and change this!
EchoBeach icon
How do I register and what does it cost?
First, choose a program you want to use and then a server that offers it. The video 'Introducing the Fediverse' explains what the Fediverse is and what its main programs are. Mastodon is for short text messages, Pixelfed for messages where images are important. Find out which server offers these and choose one that suits you. It might seem smart to choose a large server, but a well-organized small server with an attractive profile can offer a much wider reach. Each server's homepage lists its objectives, principles, and terms and conditions. The country where a server is located is important. Because the laws and regulations of that country apply, I recommend a server in the Netherlands. Below are some suggestions. A server costs money, and they don't earn money from your data or by showing you ads. You can often use them for free, but it's possible to donate. Consider this! Everyone should. Waag.social For example, gives a target amount of €10 per year for using their Mastodon server.
Do I need to delete my Instagram account when switching to Pixelfed?
No way, don't give up on Instagram until you have enough followers on Pixelfed. Because they're similar, it takes little effort to post your content on both platforms—you already have the images and text.
Okay, I want to get in. What should I do?
I'd start with Mastodon to follow the news and get a feel for the atmosphere. Choose a Dutch server like mastodon.nl (general) or, for example, todon.nl (political activist, "radical left, anti-authoritarian") and sign up. Find your friends and see who they follow. Follow interesting people and news channels. If you've been on there for a while, you'll be shocked when you return to Facebook.
We want to open echobeach.nl within a few months at most. Until recently, there was no Pixelfed server in the Netherlands, but our host ProcoliX pixelfed.com has just launched. This is a general-purpose server aimed at all of Europe. ProcoliX and the OID.foundation sponsors Echobeach in the context of the Federity project. You can follow me on mastodon.nl/@ronvanderende en echobeach.nl/ron.
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We'd like to start working with 10 to 20 accounts soon to explore the possibilities of the fediverse together and share our experiences. This way, we can build the network as we go. We're still looking for motivated people. A tech background isn't necessary, but a pioneering spirit is. The working group will decide exactly how to approach this. We'll start as a Signal group. Sign up if this sounds like you: Ron vanderEnde: ron@echobeach.nl
More information
- Podcast The Hour: interview with Marleen Stikker
- Blog Public Spaces: everything you need to know about the Fediverse
- All Fediverse servers on a map
- Website Make Socials Social Again
- Fediverse Workshop: November 6 at Waag Futurelab, Amsterdam
Ron van den Ende is preparing a WordPress blog for echobeach.org With information, tips, and best-practice guidelines (from image quality to Fediverse netiquette). The blogs are published in Fediverse.
Image above: Ron van den Ende, photo: Mila van der Ende