First Draft Club

1/8
Reframing Onchain: Why We Need to Rethink Social Networks and the New Internet

I’d like to offer some thoughts on how we describe the digital space, especially for those just coming onchain. 

Here’s what I suggest, based on my own journey in the onchain world👇🏻

A sufficiently decentralized social network. farcaster.xyz

Web3 Creator + Blockchain writer ~ Bringing products onchain | bringing Africa Onchain @base | community manager /pronouns

⭐ 2/8
Rethinking Social Interactions: Networks, Not Media

✨ Onchain is About True Networks:
  
When we talk about platforms like @farcaster or @zora, it’s more accurate, and empowering to call them social networks rather than social media. 

Unlike traditional social media platforms such as Instagram, where content is broadcast in a one-to-many style and controlled by centralized algorithms, onchain networks emphasize genuine relationships, ownership, and equality. In these networks, every participant is an equal node contributing to a community that values authenticity over virality.

⭐ 4/8
 A New Narrative for the New Internet:


✨Moving Beyond Web1, Web2, Web3: 

  Instead of using the traditional labels (Web1, Web2, Web3) that tend to mystify newcomers, consider framing our conversation around the contrast between the “Old Internet” and the “New Internet.”

5/8
>> The Old Internet: 

Think of it as a space dominated by centralized control, where a few large entities or governments have the power to decide what you see and own.  

>> The New Internet:

This is a decentralized realm powered by blockchain. Here, creators and users alike hold true ownership of their content and assets. It’s an environment where you can interact without being at the mercy of algorithms or middlemen.

6/8
Examples for Clarity:

>> Traditional Social Media:

Instagram and similar platforms are built on centralized models. They’re great for mass broadcasting but often leave little room for personal control or deep community connections.  

>> Onchain Social Networks: 

Platforms like Farcaster, Zora and Dracula embody the new meta by giving users direct control over their digital identities and content. This fosters a community where everyone is equal and the power dynamics of the old internet are dismantled.

7/8
✨ Embracing Equality and Empowerment

>> Onchain Equals:
 
One of the core values of the onchain movement is that everyone is equal. The idea isn’t to dictate what others should do, but to suggest that we reframe our narrative so that newcomers understand the real benefits of decentralization, authentic interactions, true ownership, and a community-driven ethos.

8/8
✨ A Gentle Suggestion for Creators:
 
I believe we should all consider updating our language. Let’s talk about “social networks” instead of “social media” when referring to onchain platforms. 

And let’s describe our internet evolution in terms that highlight empowerment and decentralization rather than just a numbered sequence of web generations. This not only demystified the space for new users but also reinforces the value of equality that onchain stands for.

Shifting our narrative helps to clear up confusion and aligns our language with the core values of decentralization and equality. This is my humble suggestion.

I don't know What you think?

3/8
Why the Distinction Matters:
  
The term “social media” often brings to mind noisy, centralized feeds where content is curated by algorithms. This can be confusing for newcomers who are exploring onchain spaces, which are built on principles of decentralization and user control. 

By calling these platforms “social networks,” we highlight that interactions are more personal and governed by community values, not just by corporate policies or marketing strategies.