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@ Jack Spirko
2023-07-21 16:56:11You read the headline correctly: Nostr is where you can connect with the most authentic people on social media. Nothing else compares. Now, I understand what might be crossing your mind: "Don't many people on Nostr also post on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, etc.?" Indeed, they do, but that doesn't negate my assertion.
I'm not suggesting that the individuals are inherently more or less genuine. I'm stating that what you observe them posting, what you hear them articulate, and so on, is more genuine on Nostr. There are two main reasons for this.
Reason One - Absolutely No Censorship
For instance, I might reply to a comment on Nostr with, “wow, that guy is an idiot.” However, on Twitter, using the word "idiot"—even when not directly addressing the person you're responding to—triggers a warning. It's something along the lines of, “Did we get this right? Most tweets don’t look like this.” You're then given the option to either edit or publish the tweet. If you choose to publish as is, you're sent to “Twitter jail,” even after Elon Musk proclaimed, “the bird is free.” Bluntly put, no, it fucking isn't.
How can you truly know the individual behind the screen when they're perpetually gauging and modifying their expressions? This leads many to constantly ponder, “Will this get me banned?” As a result, they often refrain from posting a myriad of content, from contentious articles to mere photographs, feeling constrained.
Nostr represents total freedom. Consequently, people tend to post more candidly about their emotions, aspirations, and more. To clarify, many things they share on Nostr—but not elsewhere—are not necessarily content that would face censorship, temporary suspension, or outright bans on other platforms. However, when you eliminate that looming threat, individuals feel liberated, leading them to share more comprehensively.
Reason Two - No Algorithms
At first glance, this might seem unrelated to the authenticity of social media, but it's a significant factor. I'm going to make a low-risk assumption: if you follow me on any social media platform, you're interested in my thoughts and posts. While you might not resonate with everything, you have the autonomy to either overlook certain content, realize it's not your cup of tea and unfollow, or perhaps discover that I offer more than you initially thought and appreciate the interaction. All these choices are valid.
The crux is that you should have the ability to make these decisions based on a comprehensive understanding of who I am, my values, and my genuine opinions on mutual interests. How can you achieve this if an algorithm dictates what you see?
It's entirely plausible that you might miss out on all my posts because the algorithm has determined you don't engage the way the platform desires. They aim to incite anger, as it spurs action. It's also possible that the algorithm might highlight posts that irk you, but not showcase my photos of dogs, culinary adventures, gardening endeavors, or motivational content.
So, even if I'm sharing a plethora of content, you're only exposed to a fraction. How can you genuinely know the "Jack Spirko" in such a scenario? The answer is, you can't. Nostr's absence of algorithms eradicates this issue. You choose your connections and even determine how you perceive their posts. You witness the entire individual, not just the fragments an algorithm deems will make you more inclined to click an ad or post a heated reply.
There is No Second Best
Either you have freedom, or you don't. Communications are either entirely transparent, or they're not. It's impossible to truly understand another's authentic voice if you're only shown selective aspects of their persona. Similarly, you can't genuinely know someone if they feel they can't post without reservations.
This isn't to say that everyone on Nostr is genuine. We have pretenders, bots, and likely scammers. However, in the end, the choice is yours, and those you connect with at least have the chance to reveal their true selves. No medium can guarantee authenticity, but it can provide an environment conducive to it.
The reality is that Nostr is the sole platform offering a completely genuine opportunity to both express and listen. So, if you're at a point in your life where you're seeking genuine connections and unrestricted communication, give Nostr a try. If you're uncertain about how to begin, Nostr.how is an outstanding resource to get you started.