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The “follow” metaphor really does come with a lot of centralized social media implications. It suggests a platform is mediating the relationship rather than you just choosing to receive someone’s signed messages through relays.
Ryan's avatar Ryan
I wish Nostr used "subscribe" rather than "follow". I prefer the implication more, I'm subscribing to a feed, not following someone.
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True. “Subscribe” just seems more definitionally accurate because it simply means you’re opting into their content stream. It carries less ideological weight. You can subscribe to someone’s thoughts without necessarily believing in or adopting their worldview. It’s a more honest description of the actual relationship. I want to receive what you’re broadcasting, but that doesn’t mean I’m a follower in any deeper sense.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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The term follower is creepy and hierarchical. I want to read your content, I don’t want to “follow” you. Jesus saved the world from sin and eternal damnation and earned his followers. You posted a funny cat video and gained a new reader.