Step into the future of social media with our exclusive, imagined interview with Sam. She is the visionary CEO behind Bluesky. Discover how this open-source and now fully decentralized platform turned the chaos of 2023 and 2024 into a global movement of connection, truth, and innovation—one open-source algorithm at a time. Full disclaimer, this is a fictitious interview not based on any real individuals.
Journalist: Sam, let me start by saying congratulations. It’s 2035, and Bluesky isn’t just a social media platform—it’s practically a cultural institution. But let’s rewind. Take me back to 2023 and 2024. What was the mood like in those early days?
Sam (Current CEO of Bluesky): Thanks so much! Wow, 2023 feels like a lifetime ago. Back then, it was like stepping into a digital battleground. Social media was chaos—bots everywhere, trolls lurking under every post, and the so-called leaders of “that other platform” were… let’s just say, not exactly unbiased, transparent, or free of conflicts of interest. It was obvious people were hungry for something different—something better. Bluesky was that something.
Journalist: It was definitely a breath of fresh air. But at the time, didn’t it feel risky? I mean, building a decentralized, open-source platform sounds great now, but back then, wasn’t it just a wild idea?
Sam: Oh, absolutely. It was like convincing people to ditch their familiar—albeit toxic—neighborhood for a completely new town where they’d have to build their own houses. But here’s the thing: the toxicity on “that other platform” was unbearable. People were exhausted by the noise, the hate, the constant unilateral changes to its TOS agreements. They didn’t just want change; they needed it. We gave them a place to start over, but this time, on their own terms.
Journalist: Speaking of “that other platform,” let’s be honest—it was like watching a slow-motion train wreck. What do you remember most about those moments when users began jumping ship to Bluesky?
Sam: Oh, we had a running joke in the office about what the final straw would be. Was it the trolls gaining blue checkmarks? The conspiracy theories running unchecked? Or maybe it was when they started charging users for basic features that should’ve been free? I’ll never forget the day we had to scale our servers overnight because so many people were fleeing that sinking ship. It was surreal. One minute we were the underdog, and the next, we were the lifeboat for millions.
Journalist: And you didn’t just grow—you thrived. Bluesky became the platform where people could actually talk to each other again. How did you pull that off? Because, let’s face it, social media isn’t known for meaningful conversations.
Sam: True, but we approached it differently. We didn’t force-feed users an algorithm designed to keep them angry and scrolling. Instead, we handed them the keys to their own experience. Want an algorithm that shows only cat videos? Done. Need a space free from political chatter? Easy. And because we were open-source, the community built tools we hadn’t even dreamed of. It wasn’t just our platform—it was their platform.
Journalist: Let’s talk about the community. Bluesky wasn’t just about software; it became a movement. What stands out to you when you look back at those early years?
Sam: Oh, the community is everything. One moment I’ll never forget was during the 2024 election cycle. Misinformation was rampant—like, wild-west rampant. But on Bluesky, our users banded together. They fact-checked in real-time, shared credible sources, and refused to let echo chambers take over. It was incredible. By the time the dust settled, we weren’t just a platform; we were a beacon of common sense.
Journalist: And a lifeline during a tough chapter in history. After the Trump administration and everything that came with it, Bluesky played a role in helping people rebuild trust—in each other and in institutions. Did you realize how big that impact would be?
Sam: Honestly? Not at first. We were just focused on creating a safe, healthy space. But then we saw how people used Bluesky to organize, educate, and even heal. By 2028, when the new administration came in and started repairing the damage, Bluesky was where people came to reconnect. Watching that unfold was humbling. It made every late night, every tough decision worth it.
Journalist: You know what else blows my mind? The economic boom Bluesky helped spark. Entire industries—content creators, small businesses, even DAOs like the one running Bluesky Magazine—sprang up around the platform. Did you see that coming?
Sam: We hoped for it, but the scale was beyond anything we imagined. Decentralization meant no gatekeepers, no corporate overlords taking a cut. Creators earned directly from their communities. Businesses thrived in niche spaces. And DAOs like Bluesky Magazine? They took facts, transparency and storytelling to a whole new level. It was this beautiful ripple effect—Bluesky empowered people, and they turned around and empowered others.
Journalist: It’s a far cry from “that other platform,” where ads and algorithms ruled. Do you ever look back and think, “Wow, we really did it”?
Sam: Every day. Especially when I see posts about people building lifelong friendships, discovering new passions, or launching businesses on Bluesky. The contrast with “that other platform” couldn’t be starker. Over there, it was all about extracting value from users. Here, it’s about creating value with users. That’s the magic.
Journalist: Final question, Sam. If you could go back to 2023 and tell your younger self one thing, what would it be?
Sam: I’d say, “Buckle up—it’s going to be one heck of a ride.” And also, “Trust the community—they’ll take Bluesky further than you ever could alone.”
