A Social Filesystem

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overreacted.io Saved Monday, January 19, 2026 Readwise
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Interesting content to revisit when relevant

Quick Take

This is a deep dive into AT Protocol's architecture using filesystem metaphors - interesting for understanding distributed social systems, but probably too niche for Brian's audience. The technical concepts around decentralized identity and data ownership could inspire broader thoughts about platform risk and data portability for developers.

Relevant Domains

Engineering craft/architecture/productivity - Distributed systems, API design, data modeling Side projects/automation/earning from skills - Platform risk, data portability, building on others' platforms

Blog Angles

1

"Why Your Side Project Needs an Exit Strategy (Even From Good Platforms)"

Thesis

Your Hook

2

"The Missing Piece in Developer Productivity: Data Portability"

Thesis

Your Hook

Key Quotes

Apps and formats are many-to-many. File formats let different apps work together without knowing about each other.
The file format is the API.
An everything app tries to do everything. An everything ecosystem lets everything get done.

Tags

#platform-risk #data-portability #distributed-systems #api-design #side-projects #developer-tools #interoperability