Jack Dorsey Commits $10 Million to Open-Source Social Media Collective

Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of Twitter and CEO of Block, has committed $10 million to support open-source social media initiatives through a new online collective named “and Other Stuff.” This venture comes after Dorsey's departure from Bluesky, a decentralized social media platform he had previously backed. The collective, formed in May through a collaboration on Nostr, includes Evan Henshaw-Plath, creator of the e-cash platform Cashu; Alex Gleason, former engineering head at Truth Social; and Jeff Gardner, the fourth employee at Inetercom.

The group aims to foster experimental and innovative projects in the open-source social media space, operating more like a hacker community rather than a traditional company. Their focus is on exploring various tools, including Nostr, an apolitical social networking protocol, and ActivityPub, a protocol that powers Mastodon, a decentralized application.

Dorsey's investment in open-source social media is not new. He has long advocated for decentralized platforms that prioritize user control and privacy. His involvement in Bluesky was a testament to this vision, but he believes the platform faces similar challenges to traditional social media due to its structure and funding by venture capitalists.

“and Other Stuff” has already backed several projects, including the Shakespeare app, designed to build Nostr-based social applications with AI assistance, and Heynow, a voice note app built on Nostr. The group is also working on a social media Bill of Rights that outlines requirements for social platforms in areas such as privacy, security, interoperability, transparency, identity, self-government, and portability.

Dorsey's $10 million pledge is a substantial investment that underscores his commitment to open-source social media. It also highlights the potential for significant growth and innovation in this space. As more developers and entrepreneurs explore open-source solutions, the collective could play a crucial role in driving forward new ideas and technologies.

In addition to his work with “and Other Stuff,” Dorsey has also been involved in other initiatives aimed at promoting open-source social media. For example, he recently introduced Bitchat, a peer-to-peer messaging app that operates via Bluetooth. This app is part of a broader effort to create decentralized communication tools that prioritize user privacy and control.

Dorsey's investment in open-source social media reflects a growing recognition of the importance of decentralized platforms in promoting user control, privacy, and innovation. As more investors and developers explore open-source solutions, the collective could play a crucial role in driving forward new ideas and technologies. This investment is likely to attract other investors and supporters who share Dorsey's vision for a more open and decentralized internet.