While I have no ill will toward the “ATmosphere” (Bluesky/AT Protocol), the contrast in funding models is hard to ignore. The fediverse's support from strategic investments in open infrastructure (like NLnet or STF) feels far healthier than ATmosphere's heavy backing from crypto-linked VCs—a sector often fraught with bubbles and social harm. I'm a bit envious of their smooth R&D resources, but I'm ultimately convinced that building on a foundation of digital public goods is the more sustainable path for a truly decentralized web.

@hongminhee ahn-young-ha-say-o well put

@hongminhee None of these funding models are healthy actually. Applying for grants every year or so is very fragile, and VC money comes with shackles. But you have to recognize that there is a lot more built on the ATProto side currently than on AP/Mastodon.