Content Centralization refers to the control and monopoly exercised by non-free platforms like Medium.com, Facebook.com, and other services that impose paywalls and restrictions to access knowledge and user's content. These platforms become intermediaries that decide which information can circulate and who can access it. Unfortunately, this centralization carries inherent dangers, jeopardizing privacy, freedom of expression, and equitable access to information.
Knowledge distribution has become more accessible than ever, yet we often encounter obstacles in the form of paywalls restricting access to valuable information. This not only limits access for those who cannot or do not wish to pay but also risks stifling the freedom to share and learn without restrictions.
Decentralizing content is the answer to this dilemma. Instead of relying on centralized platforms that control our data and access to information, we can choose two paths: self-hosting applications that enable knowledge distribution or using services focused on content sharing without paywalls, such as personal blogs or websites.
Self-hosting is the act of reclaiming control and ownership of your data and applications. By hosting your content on your own server, you break free from third-party constraints. This ensures your content remains accessible to all without paywall restrictions and grants full independence over your publications, or even, allows you to establish a paywall, where YOU are the owner, not a third party.
If self-hosting isn’t an option, platforms like WordPress, Ghost, or Neocities—services designed for content hosting—become powerful tools for knowledge distribution. By adopting these platforms, you can share ideas directly with the world without intermediaries limiting access to your work. Though not self-hosted, these platforms empower creators to distribute content without paywalls or artificial barriers. Encouraging others to use decentralized hosting options fosters a diverse, autonomous community of creators and readers who can freely engage with content.
Decentralizing content promotes transparency and privacy. By avoiding mass data storage in the hands of tech giants, we reduce the risk of misuse or unauthorized sale of our data. This is a constant fight for freedom of knowledge and equitable access to information. Choosing self-hosted applications or paywall-free distribution services positions us as advocates for the free flow of ideas and a web that remains open and accessible to all.
