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https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/dissenter-extension/gdmekeodmghijamlkjcfpigdcdmcllbo
It's an extension that uses gab as a backend to put a comment page on top of any site you're visiting. So if someone turns off a comment section on their article, blog, or video, you can circumvent that and comment with other users who have the extension.
It's a neat idea, but suffers from some problems in my opinion:
1) Upvotes - Things by default are ranked by "top", which is based on the number of upvotes. You can sort by "controversial" or "latest", but "top" is the default view.
2) Ideologically Homogeneous userbase - The only people who use this are people who have been kicked out of the monopolies of internet discourse for being "nazis", or are otherwise people who stand for free speech. You won't get into any conversations with many different points of view, since, as I pointed out in an earlier topic, these kind of "free speech" platforms are a natural filter that only let certain types in. It's just an echo-chamber.
3) It's kind of useless. Because of #2, you just end up talking ABOUT people, instead of talking WITH them. You'll never change anyone's mind. You won't introduce a new idea to someone who wasn't already predisposed to consider it. You'll never reach outside the bubble and get your idea to someone who desperately needs it. This app will never be mainstream, and nothing will change. It might feel cathartic, like punching a heavy bag, but in the end, it accomplishes nothing.
It's an extension that uses gab as a backend to put a comment page on top of any site you're visiting. So if someone turns off a comment section on their article, blog, or video, you can circumvent that and comment with other users who have the extension.
It's a neat idea, but suffers from some problems in my opinion:
1) Upvotes - Things by default are ranked by "top", which is based on the number of upvotes. You can sort by "controversial" or "latest", but "top" is the default view.
2) Ideologically Homogeneous userbase - The only people who use this are people who have been kicked out of the monopolies of internet discourse for being "nazis", or are otherwise people who stand for free speech. You won't get into any conversations with many different points of view, since, as I pointed out in an earlier topic, these kind of "free speech" platforms are a natural filter that only let certain types in. It's just an echo-chamber.
3) It's kind of useless. Because of #2, you just end up talking ABOUT people, instead of talking WITH them. You'll never change anyone's mind. You won't introduce a new idea to someone who wasn't already predisposed to consider it. You'll never reach outside the bubble and get your idea to someone who desperately needs it. This app will never be mainstream, and nothing will change. It might feel cathartic, like punching a heavy bag, but in the end, it accomplishes nothing.