In this episode we meet Zenna, Andre and Zack from Scuttlebutt, a P2P-based social ‘network of networks’ based around a BitTorrent-like distribution technology.

After figuring out what Scuttlebutt is (and is not) we discuss: the roots of Scuttlebutt in New Zealand, the system’s politically anarchist/libertarian ethos, how Scuttlebutt survived (or shrugged off) a right-wing deluge; and how SSB’s technical architecture eliminates the need for moderators.

With social networks like Facebook, Twitter and 4Chan increasingly becoming propagation tanks for viciously partisan net cultures, we talk about what makes Scuttlebutt different: it’s a network that resists aggregation, massification, and centralisation. Scuttlebutt is succeeding where Diaspora failed precisely because it doesn’t seek to replace the social media behemoths: Scuttlebutt is tiny by design, happy to be human, and based around the ethos of ‘solarpunk’ — a vision of a future we actually want, where high technology is put in service of humans and the environment.

Showrunner & Host Jamie King | Editor Lucas Marston (Hollagully)

Original Music David Triana | Web Production Eric Barch

Presented by TorrentFreak | Season SponsorPrivate Internet Access

Episode Sponsor ZCash Company

Executive Producers: Mark Zapalac, Eric Barch, Nelson Larios, George Alvarez, Adam Burns, Daniel, Grof.

Sponsorship slots are currently full. For future sponsor opportunities, please email [email protected]