@mmasnick Have we not had "protocols instead of platforms" before? Isn't email that? Or the whole web?
There's a reason why platforms became popular: they addressed a (perceived or real) failing of the 'protocol'. That has to be addressed or another platform will rise.
@zdl yes, my paper literally covers all of that. https://knightcolumbia.org/content/protocols-not-platforms-a-technological-approach-to-free-speech