Solving the bot problem may seem like a pretty simple procedure from the outset. You simply eliminate any profile that doesn’t belong to your original profile.
However, as our social lives become invariably intertwined with our online identities, it is clear that one-size-fits-all approach is not going to work.
According to a Portuguese missionary in the 16th century, Japanese people are so crafty that they may have three faces. The theory suggests that the first face we show to the world. The second face is reserved for family and friends, and the third face is reserved for us alone. Perhaps, the latter is our truest self.
The Japanese three faces theory has spiked the interest of many communities since then, and even today, many people wear different masks for different occasions.
In a discussion on Reddit, there were many interesting responses about the theory of three faces, with the vast majority agreeing that three or possibly more faces would be the norm.
If this is the case and individuals want to showcase different sides of their personality via the masks that they wear, how can these various masks be incorporated into Web3 social media design?
“[The Japanese people] are so crafty in their hearts that nobody can understand them. Whence it is said that they have three hearts: a false one in their mouths for all the world to see, another within their breasts only for their friends, and the third in the depths of their hearts, reserved for themselves alone and never manifested to anybody.” From História da Igreja do Japão, Volume I, Page 173, written by Father João Rodrigues, SJ.
What is a Sybil attack?
A Sybil attack is an online security threat where one node operates multiple fake identities on a peer-to-peer network. The easiest way to visualise it is the proliferation of social media accounts created by one single user. Opportunists can use Sybil attacks to run multiple nodes.
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The name comes from Schreiber’s book in 1973 based on Sybil, aka Shirley Ardell Mason, who was treated for multiple personality disorder. After therapy, Sybil manifests sixteen personalities.
What is Sybil resistance and why is it a crucial component of Web3 security?
Although there is no way to fully prevent a Sybil attack, Sybil resistance has become a critical component in maximising defence against potential attacks.
Building a trusted, decentralised profile for navigating the digital world is going to be critical as your digital identity becomes more and more associated with your online engagements.
Consider the role of a freelancer as an example. They want to provide services to various Web3 communities without having to give away personal information every time they consider a job offer or application.
Kevin Owocki, Founder of Gitcoin Grants on Sybil resistance
What users need versus what users want
Social media platforms and communities should provide a safe place to share online content, a way to interact with new community members, built-in privacy tools, built-in trust and easy access to the community with clear navigation between different communities.
Now for what users want. Using the three faces theory and based on the analysis of responses to the theory online, it is clear that users want to showcase different versions of their personality depending on the platform and the objective of the profile created. Providing the tools to facilitate what users want is no easy task.
However, technologists across Web3 ecosystems are hoping to offer solutions to facilitate our digital behavioural needs. Orbis protocol has integrated verified credentials so that profiles can now be associated with and display credentials issued by both Gitcoin Passport.
Why is this important? It directly prevents bad actors from having multiple accounts within a social platform.
An open, wholesome social experience
As somebody who dabbles in and out of different social media platforms, it would make the internet a much nicer place to hang out if I didn’t have to log in and out every time I switched profiles.
Web3 tools allow users to create, migrate and switch between social applications. Projects like Orbis Protocol and Subsocial are providing new tools that are Web3 teams to build decentralised social applications into their products.
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However, how can SoFi developers ensure that the end user is protected from bots while also allowing creative expression via their “three faces”?
“Subsocial’s transaction fees, though minuscule, serve to effectively limit the widespread usage of bots on the platform. In the future, we plan to integrate a decentralised identifier (DID) solution, allowing users to see who is verifiably real. Social networks built on Subsocial will have the option to only show content from verified users. On the other hand, users can choose to take things with a grain of salt if they are coming from an unverified account,” says Alex Siman, Founder of Subsocial.
New social experiences will allow communities to create hubs where people can share valuable information, access educational content and connect with leaders.
The tools being developed for newer forms of online engagement need to provide a safe place for individuals to speak openly and passionately about any subject matter, while also providing a level of privacy that is needed for self-preservation and autonomy.
Bots, bots and more bots
Eliminating the unbearable bots on social platforms has become a painful but critical objective for all social platforms. In addition to ruining the experience and interrupting the flow of information, bots are being used to manipulate vulnerable users and hack into accounts.
Even the most popular social engagement platforms have become almost unbearable with the sheer amount of fake avatars flogging products and services.
Harassing user profiles on social media platforms has become a skill set of communities across Web3 ecosystems. Are these the type of skills encouraged to participate in the future of the internet?
Some warning bells are ringing here. Let’s not turn the entire internet into a place for harassment.
Spaces to the rescue. Many seek refuge from the onslaught of unverified user profiles in Twitter spaces. The sound of actual voices having honest conversations has become a welcome reprieve but also a novelty in an age of fakery and mundane “influencer” content.
The recent migration of users to Mastodon demonstrates a willingness for internet users to consider new ways of interaction. Since Elon took over, Twitter reigns, over one million people have flocked to this new platform.
Factoring in the three faces theory
During our lifetime, people wear different masks for occasions. This is human nature whether it is to hide vulnerabilities or project a different level of confidence.
A question on Reddit regarding the legitimacy of the three faces theory had 97 responses, and the vast majority agreed that you have at least three faces. The first face you show to the world. The second face you show to your close friends and your family. The third face, you never show anyone.
In fact, many respondents believe that you have more than three faces. “I think I take on different personas depending on who I am and/or what I am doing.”
Another interesting reply was, “Nobody except my internet service provider and data compilers at Google know the true me”.
If self-preservation is a necessary component of a public persona, how can social applications cater for the three faces that one might wear?
In the future, could users select their masks just as they would select their clothes for the day?
The potential of Web3 social applications to provide more seamless, open and sustainable experiences is intrinsically tied to our ability to alter our personas based on different online environments.
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This article was first published on December 15, 2022
The post How the three faces theory explains identity issues and the rise of bots appeared first on e27.