If Meta is really working on a new ActivityPub-powered social network, I see it as a very positive signal overall--my personal feelings towards Meta notwithstanding. For one, it's validation for our entire ecosystem from the biggest player. It also tells me that they don't see themselves as strong enough to keep users locked inside their walled garden anymore. It means the tide is really turning for interoperable social media, and that's always been the goal.
@Gargron I agree that this is overall a good thing for ActivityPub and for the widespread adoption of the vision you have championed. Facebook is validating the work you and others in this community have done. As Oscar Wilde said: "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness."
That said, I can assure you that Facebook has zero intention of supporting interoperable anything, ever and will work from within to destroy anything like that from ever happening.
@mike @Gargron I'm 98% sure you're right. But the other 2% is just recognizing that today, 22 years and two weeks after USA v. Microsoft, the Microsoft Corporation is the world's biggest contributor to open-source software.
Sure, it took Apple showing up and eating Microsoft's lunch in mobile to get there, but the cracks have been showing at Meta for years already, and their utter failure with their huge bet on the Metaverse might just be enough to get them to follow suit.
But again, 2% hope.