Why BlueSky Isn’t the Alternative to X (Formerly Twitter) You’re Looking For — and Why Mastodon Is the Better Choice Over X, Threads, and BlueSky
By Aidan Raymond
11/13/2024
Introduction
As the world looks for alternatives to X (formerly Twitter), platforms like BlueSky and Threads are often highlighted as contenders. However, beneath their appealing facades, both platforms have fundamental issues rooted in ownership, funding, and community vision that ultimately compromise their independence and stability. Mastodon, on the other hand, stands out as a genuinely people-centered platform. Here’s a deep dive into why BlueSky and Threads fall short and why Mastodon is the superior choice if you’re looking for an authentic, community-driven experience.
BlueSky: The Illusion of Decentralization
BlueSky’s Venture-Funded Origins
BlueSky initially promised a decentralized network built on ideals of user control and minimal moderation. Seeded by Jack Dorsey, its origins stem from a vision that sought to create a platform “beyond moderation.” But the funding reality paints a different picture: BlueSky received significant investment from venture sources, including Blockchain Capital LLC, co-founded by Brock Pierce, a major crypto advocate. This backing raises immediate concerns, as we’ve seen the influence of investor funding time and time again push platforms toward a more controlled, profit-driven model.
I foresee BlueSky eventually drifting toward centralization. With rich investors buying into its vision, decentralization becomes harder to uphold as investors naturally look to protect their stakes, meaning more control and limitations are likely in the future.
Threads: Ads, Bans, and Limitations
The Meta Machine in Full Swing
Threads, developed by Meta, already operates with a corporate mindset — focusing on growth metrics, algorithms, and soon, ads. Furthermore evident in Meta’s corporate mindset, Meta has pushed restrictions and bans, where users have been penalized over trivial content, or simple content that has gotten those on the sports world banned from the platform. This track record shows that Threads, just like Meta’s other platforms, struggles with consistent content moderation and the inevitable implementation of ads. It’s just a matter of time before it follows Meta’s ad-heavy trajectory, further altering the platform experience.
Meta may have positioned Threads as an alternative, but it is ultimately another platform where users are the product, and profitability overrides user experience.
Mastodon: A Platform Built for Users, Not Profit
A Social Network by the People, for the People
Mastodon, by contrast, operates under a completely different structure. From the moment you visit the site, Mastodon’s core values are clear: “Your home feed should be filled with what matters to you most, not what a corporation thinks you should see.” This speaks to its non-profit nature — Mastodon is maintained by a small non-profit team with the help of volunteers, relying solely on donations from users and supportive companies, not venture capital. There are no shares to buy, no board of directors seeking profits, and no ads.
Mastodon’s commitment to its users is strengthened by its open-source, decentralized model, which allows anyone to create and operate a server within the broader Mastodon ecosystem. This ecosystem is ad-free and open to individual and organizational control. Essentially, it’s a community where the users have the power, not investors.
The Power of ActivityPub: Mastodon’s Fediverse Advantage
Mastodon isn’t just a platform — it’s part of the Fediverse, a network of interconnected platforms (like Threads, Pixelfed, and Lemmy) all built on ActivityPub. This means that as a Mastodon user, you can interact across platforms seamlessly. For instance, I’m only on Mastodon, yet I can interact with friends on Threads, thanks to this shared protocol. Threads users currently have limitations on the Fediverse, such as not being able to see Mastodon posts, but with Meta’s plan to eventually support full ActivityPub integration, we can expect improved interactivity — although, knowing Meta’s pace, we might have to wait.
The power of ActivityPub lies in its openness, giving users a choice between platforms while still allowing communication across networks. This integration is fundamental to building a decentralized web, where users can connect without being locked into one corporate ecosystem.
The Political Spectrum: Escaping Propaganda and Algorithmic Control
While I generally avoid politics on this blog, it’s hard to ignore the political biases permeating X and BlueSky. X has veered heavily toward far-right ideologies, while BlueSky is often associated with far-left communities. This polarized landscape doesn’t work for those of us seeking a neutral space for meaningful interactions. Mastodon’s structure, lacking an algorithm to push specific content, gives users freedom to create a feed that genuinely reflects their interests.
For those who are politically inclined, Mastodon has communities and accounts covering all sides, but there’s no algorithm driving you toward any specific viewpoint.
My BlueSky Experience: Why I Left Twice
I joined BlueSky when it was invite-only, drawn by the promise of a Twitter-like experience without the noise. At first, I was optimistic, but I quickly noticed content issues. Even with NSFW content settings turned off, sexual content would still show up on my feed. After leaving once, I decided to give it another shot in September, only to encounter the same problem. The platform’s ATprotocol, which theoretically should support decentralization , has failed to fulfill that promise. BlueSky has yet to federate fully with other networks, and it’s doubtful they ever will. This lack of openness confines users to BlueSky alone, making it difficult to connect with friends on other platforms without creating a separate account. You can bridge a BlueSky account to the ActivityPub, but I suspect BlueSky might restrict that soon enough.
Conclusion: Mastodon Is the Future
When considering all these factors, Mastodon emerges as the clear winner. It’s free from investor influence, ad-free, and controlled by a community that values user autonomy over profit. Major accounts leaving X are finding a new home on Mastodon, and if you’re tired of being the product, Mastodon is the place for you. Here, you’re not at the mercy of rich investors, algorithmic biases, or ad-based revenue models. Instead, you have a voice, control, and the freedom to build a feed that genuinely reflects your interests.
Follow my account on the Medium instance: @TechThreadsByAidan@me.dm
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