The Tech That Went Sh*tty: Twitter's First Employee on the Right to Exit and Open Protocols

The evolution of social media from user-driven platforms to restrictive, centralized environments stems from a lack of user agency and the absence of a fundamental "right to exit." Twitter’s early success relied on listening to users, who introduced essential features like hashtags and retweets, rather than top-down corporate mandates. Modern platforms, however, prioritize algorithmic control and advertising, leading to the "enshittification" of the digital experience. To reclaim the open web, developers must build decentralized systems that allow users to choose their own moderation teams and algorithms, effectively decoupling communication from single-CEO control. Rabble, Twitter’s first employee, emphasizes that successful innovation requires focusing on fundamental human needs—such as connection and belonging—rather than fixating on specific product ideas. Future platforms should prioritize open protocols, enabling a plurality of ideas and preventing the monopolistic power dynamics currently defining the industry.