Comment on In Vermont, an ultralocal social network is as popular as Facebook
afk_strats@lemmy.world 3 days agoUnderstanding the problems you’ve outlined, can the positive functionality of this platform be replicated? I mean, we’re on the fediverse (?) here and it’s a decentralized platform but it’s not geography close-knit. I think having neighbors talk would be a net positive for society but nextdoor obviously seems like it replicates the worst of social media
theluddite@lemmy.ml 3 days ago
Yes absolutely. It’s just a mailing list! There are bajillions of functioning and wonderful mailing lists all around the world, for neighborhood activities or otherwise. If you wanted to right now, you could make a mailing list and drop off a flyer with a QR code at all your neighbors’ houses. You’d have your own version of this set up in an afternoon, so long as you and other volunteers can find the time to moderate it. My advice to anyone who wants to start one that’s a little more formal, like this one, with paid moderators and staff, is to build your values into its structure. Do you want it to serve the community? Then the community should own it. Think about who you want to serve and make sure that it’s who the company will always be accountable to.
afk_strats@lemmy.world 2 days ago
Thank you. Something I would absolutely consider