Waffles, Bluesky, and Delicious Eats

A Peculiar Trend on Bluesky: The Case of the Waffles

Recently, a noticeable increase in posts referencing waffles has been observed within the Bluesky social network.

The Origin of the Waffle Discourse

The unusual trend appears to have originated with a playful critique from Jerry Chen, who satirized a prevalent form of self-righteousness often seen on Bluesky. His post humorously depicted a scenario: “(bluesky user bursts into Waffle House) OH SO YOU HATE PANCAKES??”.

Bluesky CEO Jay Graber acknowledged the post with approval, stating, “Too real. We’re going to try to fix this.” She believes social media platforms need not function in such a manner.

A Question of Bans and a Cryptic Response

Following Graber’s comment, a user inquired about a potential ban for Jesse Singal. Graber’s response was simply, “WAFFLES!”

Singal’s presence on Bluesky has previously been a source of contention. While the platform initially gained a reputation as a safe space for transgender users, Singal has faced criticism regarding his writings on transgender issues.

Petition and Block Counts

A Change.org petition demanding Singal’s removal from the network, citing violations of community guidelines, garnered over 28,000 signatures. He was, for a time, the most-blocked user on Bluesky, a title later taken by JD Vance.

Further Commentary and User Reactions

Graber subsequently stated, “Harassing the mods into banning someone has never worked. And harassing people in general has never changed their mind.” She also shared a playful image of waffles, a gesture mirrored by Singal.

Users continued to voice their criticisms, prompting further responses from Graber. When one user likened the criticism to a service cancellation threat, she questioned, “Are you paying us? Where?” A suggestion for an apology was met with, “You could try a poster’s strike. I hear that works.”

Beyond Waffles: Underlying Tensions

While the situation may appear as mere internal disagreement, it highlights deeper tensions between the company and its user base.

These tensions were evident last month in responses to updated community guidelines and ongoing concerns that Bluesky has been inconsistent in its moderation practices, potentially favoring certain accounts while restricting others.

Differing Visions for Bluesky

The core of the issue may stem from differing perspectives on what defines Bluesky’s identity. If the platform’s strength lies in its community, particularly its early adopters from marginalized groups, then perceived inaction by leadership can be seen as a betrayal.

A Desire for Decentralization

One user, posting under the name Katie Tightpussy, suggested that Bluesky’s leadership may be dissatisfied with managing a large social media application and proposed spinning it off to return to a more technically focused environment.

Graber has consistently avoided aligning Bluesky with any specific group or political stance, instead emphasizing the decentralized protocol that empowers users to create their own alternatives.

Decentralization and Future Projects

She recently posted about “decentralization acceleration” and reiterated that the company built a decentralized network to allow user-driven moderation. She also mentioned that an “upcoming healthy discourse project” aims to address the dynamics contributing to these conflicts on Bluesky.

A Foreseen Conflict?

Graber may have anticipated such conflicts during Bluesky’s inception, envisioning a decentralized system where users could migrate if dissatisfied with company decisions. According to reports, Bluesky’s founding documents even described the company as “a future adversary.”