In a time when social media platforms are predominantly controlled by billionaires, Bluesky CEO Jay Graber is delivering a strong message: decentralized, open-source networks prioritize users.

And what better way to emphasize that point than with a T-shirt targeting Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg?

### A Shirt With a Statement

While speaking at **SXSW 2025**, Graber wore a shirt that proclaimed *Mundus sine Caesaribus*—Latin for “A world without Caesars.” The design echoed the now-notorious shirt Zuckerberg donned at **Meta Connect 2024**, which stated *Aut Zuck aut nihil* (“Zuck or nothing”).

“If a billionaire attempted to disrupt things,” Graber noted regarding Bluesky, “users could simply exit—without sacrificing their identity or data.” She pointed out that Bluesky’s open protocol enables users to “fork off” and establish their own version of the network if needed.

### A Decentralized Option

Initially created as a Twitter offshoot, **Bluesky currently has over 32 million users**. Its **AT Protocol** guarantees that users maintain control over their identities and experiences—without requiring Bluesky’s consent.

“The essence of what we’re doing is returning power to users and developers,” Graber clarified. She underlined that Bluesky is not merely another social media application; it’s a completely new structural alternative to conventional platforms.

### Rethinking Content Oversight

Graber also pointed out a significant contrast between Bluesky and billionaire-controlled platforms: **content oversight**. Rather than a top-down strategy, Bluesky permits users to install third-party moderation tools, customizing their experience according to their own preferences.

“Moderation equates to governance,” she stated. “It’s about deciding how you wish your digital environment to be governed.”

The Bluesky ecosystem already features applications like **Flashes**, a third-party photo-sharing platform, and **Flushing.im**, a humorous app for tracking bathroom visits. “You can truly create anything,” Graber chuckled.

### Challenges Ahead

Despite its principles, Bluesky encounters financial challenges. The organization has recognized that it is **considering subscription models and developer services** to sustain itself.

Nevertheless, Graber remains optimistic. “We don’t believe social media must be inherently toxic,” she asserted. “We seek to offer individuals genuine choices—not just a new platform, but a new paradigm.”