On: Why is there no government-built social media?

[pipo234]

Many municipalities have come up with the idea of developing their own local platforms and fora. Of course that ship had long, long sailed and they soon discovered the mechanics of the network effect.

Also, they didn't have the means and resolve to launch even a small platform. In short: only the trolls were interested.

Now what might have worked, is if at some point a government (or a couple) took over a small, but modestly successful platform (say, Twitter?) claiming that it is important enough as a commons.

Not claiming this is a good idea, but there are precedents with other "public infrastructures" (transport, energy, telcos, banks, harbours, airports, retail). So why not social media, news?

[Tainnor → pipo234]

There's probably some presidents somewhere on the world that own telcos and banks, but I assume you meant "precedents".

[pipo234 → Tainnor]

;-) Thanks! Corrected typo