Filene Fill-in Episode #31
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Ep. 31: We Can #BuyTwitter? User-Owned Social Media?
What if instead of some other corporation buying up a 'failing' Twitter, we, the users, could buy it and structure it as a cooperative?
- Platform Co-op Movement: There's a growing movement to democratize ownership of tech platforms, exemplified by initiatives like turning Twitter into a cooperative. This movement aims to address concerns about data privacy and the control wielded by large social platforms over users' lives.
- #BuyTwitter: The campaign to turn Twitter into a cooperative has gained momentum, showcasing a desire for democratic control over social media. It's sparked conversations not only about the Twitter vote itself but also about governance, ownership structures, and potential models for large-scale platforms.
- Challenges and Strategies: There's a need to increase awareness about cooperative models and their viability in various aspects of life. The challenge lies in getting people to recognize co-ops as legitimate ownership structures and encouraging engagement in cooperative communities and initiatives.
- Alternative Ownership Structures: Discussions revolve around structuring ownership of platforms with millions or even billions of users. Various proposals are being explored, from consumer cooperatives to governance based on social media influence, highlighting the complexity of creating democratic systems at scale.
- Financial Vehicles for Co-ops: Initiatives are underway to create financial vehicles that aggregate capital for cooperative buyouts or investments. This includes forming investment clubs and exploring ways to fund cooperative buyouts or expansions without relying solely on traditional financing models.
