BlueSky brings back what we loved about the old Twitter

Do you remember what Twitter used to be like? When you could still write 280 characters without paying for it. When the timeline algorithm didn't systematically favor far-right propaganda. When the platform wasn't being misused as a personal propaganda tool by a megalomaniac billionaire with a messiah complex.

If you also remember those long-gone times and now find X just as disgusting as I do, then you should check out BlueSky as soon as possible. The platform does exactly what made the original Twitter so great - only without all the crap that has been added in recent years.

What is BlueSky actually?

BlueSky is a decentralized social network that was originally launched as a Twitter project under Jack Dorsey. The basic idea: to create an open, decentralized alternative to the big tech platforms. The special feature is the AT-Protocol, which theoretically makes it possible to connect different social networks with each other.

In practice, however, BlueSky works just like the old Twitter: you post short messages, follow other people and see their posts in your feed. The big difference: it still works as it should.

Why I turned my back on X months ago

I closed my X account a few months ago and wrote about it in detail. Don't get me wrong - I'm happy to pay for good tools and services. But I won't give another cent to this Musk organization.

Functions that used to be a matter of course now cost money. Do I want to write more than 280 characters? Pay for it. Do I want to edit a link? Pay for it. Do I want to correct my tweet after sending it? Pay. And as a reward for this audacity, I'm also allowed to have intrusive advertising shoved between every second post.

Then there's this terrible algorithm that pushes far-right hate speech to the top and nips sensible discussions in the bud. The platform has degenerated into a toxic reservoir for trolls, bots, conspiracy theorists and other figures who used to stay under their rocks. Many interesting people and companies have already fled X - and quite rightly so.

What BlueSky does better

With BlueSky, I can post normally again without my messages disappearing into algorithm nirvana or getting lost among annoying ads. The community is still small, but light years more relaxed and constructive. No bots trying to sell me some crypto junk. No Nazi propaganda in the comments. No influencers trying to sell me their coaching courses. Just normal people discussing their topics in a civilized manner.

Best of all, all basic functions are and will remain free of charge.

My TYPO3 bubble is growing slowly

I mainly post TYPO3 content there - news, tips, links to interesting developments. The German-speaking TYPO3 community is not yet very big on BlueSky, but that may change. I see this as an opportunity to be there right from the start and to build up a reasonable community.

If you are interested in TYPO3, web development or just a social media platform without the madness, feel free to follow me on BlueSky. You can find my profile at https://bsky.app/profile/wwagner.net

Time for a fresh start

BlueSky isn't perfect, but it's what X should have remained: A platform for people, not for bots and algorithm experiments. A platform that doesn't rip off its users. A platform where you can still have a normal conversation.

I no longer want my presence on X to support a self-absorbed billionaire who has systematically driven a once great platform to the wall. BlueSky proves that there is another way - without megalomania, without rip-offs, without toxic algorithms.

So: out of the X swamp, into BlueSky. The future of social media is definitely not in the hands of megalomaniac tech billionaires with a god complex, but in open, decentralized platforms.