something i’ve been wanting to look up … is decentralized social media only possible due to blockchain technology? Is this why it hasn’t started earlier?
Putting this as a note like tying a string on the finger. 😐
#asknostr
Discussion
Nostr doesn't require any blockchain, so no.
Nostr is just signed notes, no Blockchain. The technology that lets it exist was available earlier. Increasing computer power at the edge helps greatly, letting clients do more work, relying less on centralized servers.
A centralized solution is far easier to create, and manipulate, so that's what people who want to extract profit made. It's harder to control what people see, and feed them ads through Nostr.
nostr:npub1kun5628raxpm7usdkj62z2337hr77f3ryrg9cf0vjpyf4jvk9r9smv3lhe nostr:npub1m64hnkh6rs47fd9x6wk2zdtmdj4qkazt734d22d94ery9zzhne5qw9uaks
thank you for the tldr hehe…
Imma paste the VERY comprehensive and organized response from gpt below for posterity lol
gpt:
Yes, decentralized social media is absolutely possible without blockchain. While blockchain provides an immutable and trustless way to decentralize control, there are other methods for distributing power and preventing centralization.
Alternative Approaches to Decentralized Social Media
1. Federated Networks (e.g., ActivityPub, Mastodon)
• Uses independent servers (“instances”) that communicate with each other.
• Users can migrate between instances, reducing reliance on a single provider.
• Example: Mastodon (a Twitter-like platform using ActivityPub).
2. Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Networks (e.g., IPFS, Scuttlebutt, Nostr)
• Users exchange data directly or via distributed relays instead of a central server.
• Example: Nostr (relay-based, cryptographic keys for identity).
• Example: Scuttlebutt (offline-first, gossip protocol for syncing data).
3. Hybrid Models (Combination of Blockchain & Other Tech)
• Some platforms use blockchain for identity or payments but store content off-chain.
• Example: Farcaster (Ethereum-based identity but off-chain data storage).
• Example: Lens Protocol (Polygon-based social graph but uses off-chain storage for posts).
Does Blockchain Help?
Blockchain is useful for:
• Decentralized identity & ownership (e.g., NFTs for profiles/posts).
• Monetization without intermediaries (e.g., crypto tipping).
• Preventing censorship through immutable records (although full on-chain storage is expensive).
Does It Work Without Blockchain?
Yes! Platforms like Mastodon, Nostr, and Scuttlebutt prove that blockchain is not required for decentralized social media. Instead, they rely on cryptographic keys, relays, or federated networks to distribute control.
So, blockchain is one way to achieve decentralization, but not the only way.