Domain names and websites remain the most direct connection to an audience.
Last week was an eventful week. Donald Trump loyalists physically took over the capitol building and social media platforms finally decided they’d seen enough. Twitter and Facebook permanently suspended Trump’s accounts. He no longer has his favored direct connection to the public.
I’m sure many readers disagree with the bans while others think they are way past due.
Regardless, it’s another reminder of both the value and the downside of using companies’ platforms for spreading your message.
It’s something I’ve talked about for years in a slightly different context. Companies paid lots of money to build their presence on Facebook, only for Facebook to change how its platform works and to charge organizations to reach their followers.
When you build a following on a platform, you are at the mercy of that platform.
When you build a website on your own domain name, you have a direct connection that is less likely to be severed.
True, your domain name registrar can decide that the content on your site violates its terms and conditions and kick you off. So can your host. Most will draw the line at inciting or glorifying violence, or spreading hate speech that could lead to that.
In fact, AWS has told right-wing-friendly social network Parler to find another home.
But there’s usually a domain name registrar and hosting company that will welcome you, either because of a libertarian mindset or greed.
The value of platforms like Facebook and Twitter is, of course, that they have a built-in audience. Twitter became a way for Trump to spread his message with much more ease than holding press conferences, updating a website, or sending email.
But what these platforms give, they can also take away.
paul says
Looks like Parler domain name is based in US. That will be next.
paul says
Gab a Gab a Gab a hey hey.
Bobby says
supportfreespeech.com !
Squarely says
https://www.geekwire.com/2021/domain-hosting-services-company-epik-not-contact-parler-following-aws-boot/
Epik might host it???
Andrew Allemann says
That was one of the most bizarre stories and releases I’ve seen in a while. Epik basically said ‘we haven’t been in touch with them’ and geekwire wrote about how they haven’t been in touch with them. I guess the goal was for Parler to reach out?
John says
I almost wrote to Rob myself to ask him to reach out to them. However, I guess if Rob or anyone with Epik is the one who initiates that, there will be the usual diabolical stupid lying accusations. So it would seem Parler should be the one to reach out to Epik.
I had actually ignored Parler 100%, even after an FB friend had suggested it. Suggested it for free speech and censorship reasons, not because I’m on the red wing of the two-winged dragon. In fact, I felt it would probably just be some kind of “echo chamber.”
Given the diabolically evil and corrupt nature of the latest censorship and suppression ramp-up, however, I took the plunge and joined Parler. I’ve even already participated a bit. By commenting under the profile or “Parley” or whatever it’s called for someone on the (wait for it, wait for it) actual real “progressive” actual real “left.” Not to be confused with the fake anything-but progressive fake left, i.e. the (anything but genuinely) liberal Democratic establishment, i.e. the blue wing of the two-winged dragon.
John says
“Most will draw the line at inciting or glorifying violence, or spreading hate speech that could lead to that.”
An EXTREMELY problematic statement indeed, Andrew, one that leads to all sorts of problems and evil.
These services and platforms should be regulated as utilities imo, and that is what they really are. Just like telephone service.
I have many years of experience dealing with organizational and even government evil and corruption, and that is what is going on lately and has been for ages now with these “private companies” that “can do what they want” according to some.
Many great things have been written on the subject in recent months by real journalists and real truth tellers with integrity and principle (unlike most of mainstream media), but I’ll just quote this great tweet I saw the other day here:
“Do not be confused. Twitter, google & Facebook are part of the ideological apparatus of the state & are carrying out the political agenda of the dominate neoliberal rulers. The argument that they are “private” is the point. Mass control of thought & speech has been privatized.” – Ajamu Baraka (fyi, never heard of that person before that tweet)
Rubens Kuhl says
I wonder whether those that cried “freedom of enterprise” for the bakery not wanting to bake a cake for an LGBT client are saying different for social networks not wanting to have that specific politician among their users.
Charles Harshman says
Name for Trumps social media platform, “1776” The U. S. Constuition!!
Phil says
I have been and shall continue to suggest that the best name for DONALD J TRUMP’S new social media platform is “Face-Train” or FACETRAIN in truth nobody stops a train NOBODY!!!
Phil Duck says
FaceTrain is a fresh new appropriate name for DONALD J TRUMP’S social media platform. Nobody stops a train Nobody FACETRAIN AND WE ARE GOING TO TRAIN A WHOLE NEW GENERATION HOW TO DETERMINE THE TRUTH. Be gone now fake news media. There’s a new kid on the block.