Self-worth if you’re self-made: reaction to Diaspora* co-founder’s death

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about Diaspora*,  an open source social network meant to rival the corporate machine that is Facebook.  An idea created by four NYU students, the story was the epitome of what it meant to be young, smart, and willing to change the status quo as far as social networking was concerned.  It was a reflection on my generation; wanting to change the world and plan for the future while having endless possibilities to make that dream a reality.  However, it was still shocking and terrible news to hear about the recent suicide of Diaspora co-founder Ilya Zhitomirskiy.  

If Facebook Was A Government, Diaspora* Is An Anarchist

Do you remember the first time you used the Internet? I used to fight with my sisters to “get online” after school so I could check my AOL mail, Neopets, and the occasion teen chat room.  I went by FelicityRC.  Many thought it was referring to the WB show, but it was actually the name of my American Girl doll.

Fast forward to 2011 where you are Googled by your boss, mom and ex-boyfriend.  What used to be a friendly way of meeting future college peers is now a platform where brands can find you (I am one of people who gets those brands on Facebook, sorry).  Facebook debuted Timeline last week, proving to me that yes, they can figure out the birth order of my sisters (though we don’t post the year for our birthday), how many friends I have made each year since I joined (less each year it seems) and that I will never escape certain pictures.

So appears Diaspora*, a community whose mission is “to build a new and better social web, one 100% owned and controlled by you.”